MEATeor city
LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / announcements
hello welcome to our lobster party :) aka MEATeor city event. hold the applause. okay. now give it
IC:
Event is taking place at a party venue they rented out
OCs helped set up decor; cooking is currently in progress
POSTING / RULES:
1. Your OC can only be in one RP at a time to prevent weird time shenanigans. Please feel free to move between rooms! Room descriptions are pinned to each channel
2. It is recommended to keep interactions on the shorter end to mingle! This only lasts 3 days IRL after all! Please end it if you have to go do something else IRL or won’t be responding for a while
3. Li & Lok may occasionally come in and ask you to make a roll for mini-prompts/results
SCHEDULE:
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To start us off - please see below for current **SIGN-UPS:**
7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN: Runs throughout the event. Randomly generated pairs. You will be given your own private closet I'm so sorry about the channels.
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Emoji react 7️⃣ to sign up
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SCAVENGER HUNT: Participants are given a [trait] (eg. black hair, wearing a necklace, etc.) and they need to find a character at the party with this trait and bring them to the picture booth to take a picture with them! This will run throughout the event. You can just ask muns if their OC is available & find them >;3c
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Emoji react 
to sign up
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to sign up
CONSENT FORM: Are you okay with mild injuries possibly being dealt to your character during this event?
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Emoji react with ❤️
to sign up
to sign up
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If you get Too Raunchy, You Will Die.
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@MEATeor 7 minutes sign ups are closed! Shuffling + channels should open within the hour.
More importantly, it's grub time:
[IC]
Everyone indoors can smell it. Immediate. The lobster and sides are done and are carried out onto the banquet table - plates upon plates of lobster and crawfish served in a variety of seasonings - cajun, butter, lemon, blue (blue), you name it. Sides of potatoes and greens and condiments galore. The drinks are flowing and the meat is tier. This feast is yours tonight, detectives.
An announcement goes through the speakers inside/outside the building: "Dinner has been served."
#deleted-channel <- Food located here
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@MEATeor Never Have I Ever will be starting in 30 minutes! Please react with 
to sign up!
to sign up!
This RP can be participated in at the same time as other RPs
It's going to be probably chaotic/messy just in case that's not your speed!! Feel free to come in/leave as you want. It's just a dumb mini-game
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@MEATeor 1 RP at a time lock lifted due to time constraints! WELCOME TO FREEDOM, GO HAM 
If you need a RP room location, please @ me or Li to create one for you!!
(Try not to take on more interactions than you can finish though / be mindful not to hog Too many channels 
!!)
!!)
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@MEATeor truth or dare in roughly 30 min!
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- RP can be participate in at the same time as other RPs
- Can hop in whenever you want! Just @ me to be added
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to sign up, react with ONE of the following
1️⃣ if you would like to join a big group (like, as many people as possible for max chaos)
2️⃣ if you would like to be divided into smaller groups (3-5 probably???)
3️⃣ if you don't care
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@MEATeor Gonna re-shuffle groups!! React with 
if you would like to keep playing/would like to join this next round!
5 minutes to react but you can ask to join later
if you would like to keep playing/would like to join this next round!
5 minutes to react but you can ask to join later
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@MEATeor For transparency sake, there will be a hard stop to all RPs around 8 PM EST tomorrow so it doesn't overlap with Shelfy's RP! This whole thing was more of a prompt so feel free to ... y'know DM/HC stuff if y'all want LMAO. Thank you so much for attending!
Again, if you need any channels for last minute stuff, feel free to @ me and I'll make them (I don't think Li has power... my sweet.. my darling)
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@MEATeor I won't collapse any of the rooms that still have hanging plots because I don't know how we're gonna clean em up yet, but please, if possible, either wrap up your rps within the next few minutes or post a status update signifying that you've transitioned your posts to a different place/that the room is no longer needed once you've figured out what you want to do!
Thank you so much for playing and for making this event as crazy and fun as it ended up being! 
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coming to you............. whenever............. you guys deserve another one i dont know
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Exported 15 message(s)
LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / balcony
Original message was deleted.
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Étoile had arrived quite early today - events were the only thing she would ever show up on time... she loved them too much to miss even a minute.
Sitting besides the railing, a margarita in one hand, the other hand supporting her head as she leaned on the tailing.
"Ah, what a beautiful view~" she hummed... although it felt a little sad.
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BOT
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He'd managed to come on time this time around. It wasnt time to the main festivities yet. So he decided he might as well try to mingle.
He sees Etolie lounging around the balcony and thought It'd be nice to keep her company. Zeke checks his teeth in his champagne glasses before walking over.
"It sure is." He responds with a smirk, seemingly not talking about the starry sky.
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BOT
"Ah! Kitty! I'm glad you agree 
️" Etoile responds... fully aware of the direction his response was meant to go. She simply decided to stay oblivious- for now.
"Come and sit down! It's still pretty early and the sky had really nice colors right now~ she's so versatile 
" the lady gushes - the sky was something she'd always adore, even if she had already seen every possible version in her book.
"Also you're looking pretty good tonight! Though I kind of miss your... hawaiian? shirt? Was that the expression? 
" etoile attentively and wholly looked at zeke, her head still restinh on her hand a little.
️" Etoile responds... fully aware of the direction his response was meant to go. She simply decided to stay oblivious- for now.
"Come and sit down! It's still pretty early and the sky had really nice colors right now~ she's so versatile " the lady gushes - the sky was something she'd always adore, even if she had already seen every possible version in her book.
"Also you're looking pretty good tonight! Though I kind of miss your... hawaiian? shirt? Was that the expression? " etoile attentively and wholly looked at zeke, her head still restinh on her hand a little.
BOT
He walks closer to her leaning against the railing of the balcony.
"Oh yeah." He looks up at the sky taking in the scenery. "I hear its suppose to be a full moon tonight. So if anythin' crazy happens we'll know why." 
He grins taking his sip of his bitter martini. "Why thank you, you're lookin' pretty good yourself."
"See you're a woman of taste, finally someone who understands the class of a floral print.
He grins taking his sip of his bitter martini. "Why thank you, you're lookin' pretty good yourself."
"See you're a woman of taste, finally someone who understands the class of a floral print.
BOT
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"Something crazy? Maybe like a cute kitty cat turning into a wolf? " she giggled sweetly. "Joke's aside, what good timing! Full moons are really pretty; and performing on these nights were always a special experience," Étoile looked back into the sky beyond the trees. "Thank you! I picked this out carefully... it was supposed to be for work, but I thought i'd debut it here first~ ️ " she lifted her arms to the side to adore her own appearance, "I'm glad it's looking good! Oh and what's this? Your drink looks a little different from mine~" she eyed the drink.
"do the others in the office not like your shirts? I think they're cute! Flowers, especially, have something really nice about them " she points to the flower in her own hair.
" she giggled sweetly. "Joke's aside, what good timing! Full moons are really pretty; and performing on these nights were always a special experience," Étoile looked back into the sky beyond the trees. "Thank you! I picked this out carefully... it was supposed to be for work, but I thought i'd debut it here first~ ️ " she lifted her arms to the side to adore her own appearance, "I'm glad it's looking good! Oh and what's this? Your drink looks a little different from mine~" she eyed the drink.
"do the others in the office not like your shirts? I think they're cute! Flowers, especially, have something really nice about them " she points to the flower in her own hair.
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BOT
"Who knows, maybe the were at anomaly will crash the party. "
"Ohoho so we're gettin' early access sneak peak huh? Scandalous." He takes another sip noticing her gaze on his drink.
"You wanna try some?" He holds a finger up, as if there was a condition. "Sip for a sip. Equal exchange. "
Zeke hums putting a hand to his chest as if he were wounded. "Ellie, they're so mean to me. They say I look like a dad on vacation. That I look like a bozo."
He pauses before chuckling. "Yeah well, I can agree on that one. Highly unappreciated!"
BOT
At the mention of an anomaly, Étoile stayed quiet for a hot second--- longer than it usually takes her to respond. Luckily, or hopefully... Zeke didn't know about the anomaly incident at her jazzbar that was a year ago - and that was good. No unneeded pity or tiptoeing.
"Hopefully not!" she laughed, taking a large sip of her own martini, "And if there is, there's enough people here capable of dealing with it, I think " she chuckled a little more.
"Oh, of course you can try mine!" Étoile swiftly held the glass up towards Zeke, maybe even a little too close to his face - and waited for him to take it first, before taking his. "You can take more than one sip if you want, of course~" she happily hummed.
"A.... bozo? Why would they say that? 
They suit you!" she compliments him once more, but then "and what's wrong with looking like a dad on vacation? They're hard workers, after all! They deserve a break 
" dead serious.
("Maybe I should get kitty a lily..... oh that rhymes!") Étoile mumbled to herself.
" she chuckled a little more.
"Oh, of course you can try mine!" Étoile swiftly held the glass up towards Zeke, maybe even a little too close to his face - and waited for him to take it first, before taking his. "You can take more than one sip if you want, of course~" she happily hummed.
"A.... bozo? Why would they say that? They suit you!" she compliments him once more, but then "and what's wrong with looking like a dad on vacation? They're hard workers, after all! They deserve a break " dead serious.
("Maybe I should get kitty a lily..... oh that rhymes!") Étoile mumbled to herself.
BOT
"Yes!" she agreed, "this is a really good event to let loose a little~ The office people are too kind..." she says, but one or the other person may know that perhaps, she contributed financially.... 
"I'm sure the others are also your allies! You know... outside of the shirt fiasco," she chuckled, "but! you can always count on me," she knocked on her chest to show reliability.... good thing her cleavage is holding on very well, although the fabric looked rather loose and flowy. It was a draping, after all.
She gently took Zeke's martini glass to her sips, taking only just enough to taste it - she doesn't want to steal his drink away by drinking too much, after all And although bitter, it seemed like Étoile liked it a lot! Her cheeks have gotten rosier, and she let out a quiet gasp of surprise as she put her free hand in front of her mouth - a classic surprise gesture.
"Hey this is really good! The bitterness is really good with this flavor...." she looked at it a little more, "I think I might ask the bartender later how they mix their different martinis ✨ " she hummed.
"I'm sure the others are also your allies! You know... outside of the shirt fiasco," she chuckled, "but! you can always count on me," she knocked on her chest to show reliability.... good thing her cleavage is holding on very well, although the fabric looked rather loose and flowy. It was a draping, after all.
She gently took Zeke's martini glass to her sips, taking only just enough to taste it - she doesn't want to steal his drink away by drinking too much, after all And although bitter, it seemed like Étoile liked it a lot! Her cheeks have gotten rosier, and she let out a quiet gasp of surprise as she put her free hand in front of her mouth - a classic surprise gesture.
"Hey this is really good! The bitterness is really good with this flavor...." she looked at it a little more, "I think I might ask the bartender later how they mix their different martinis ✨ " she hummed.
BOT
"Oh yeah?" He raises his eyebrows seemingly amused by her enthusiasm. Zeke wasnt the kind of guy who liked to rely on others. Though, the gesture itself was kind. He wasnt so cold as yo brush it off entirely. "I'll remember that then."
Zeke does his best to not look at said cleavage....But who is he kidding, he took a subtle glance before focusing on her eyes. "I ordered the famous James Bind drink. Y'know, shaken not stirred. But I like yours too." He says before handing it back.
He laughs, "You might wanna act fast I dunno when the bartender is gonna leave the table.
Zeke does his best to not look at said cleavage....But who is he kidding, he took a subtle glance before focusing on her eyes. "I ordered the famous James Bind drink. Y'know, shaken not stirred. But I like yours too." He says before handing it back.
He laughs, "You might wanna act fast I dunno when the bartender is gonna leave the table.
BOT
She'd noticed the glance, but didn't pay it any mind - since it's not like people usually don't look whenever she's wearing gowns 
✊
"Ohhh James... it is a good drink~" she hummed a little in thought, missing the chance to actually give the glass back... sorry zeke.
"Oh, I'm not in a rush! If i miss them, then so be it ️ I'd rather enjoy the chat with you a little more!" which was a genuine response. "Ah, I'm noticing... don't you usually wear glasses, kitty? ️ "
✊
"Ohhh James... it is a good drink~" she hummed a little in thought, missing the chance to actually give the glass back... sorry zeke.
"Oh, I'm not in a rush! If i miss them, then so be it ️ I'd rather enjoy the chat with you a little more!" which was a genuine response. "Ah, I'm noticing... don't you usually wear glasses, kitty? ️ "
BOT
He plucks his drink from Etolie while lost in thought, nope he was getting that back thank you very much. Thought he smiled at at her.
"Ha ha yeah, I'm just wearin' contacts. Dont tell the others though they'll make fun of me for bein' blind."
Zeke stays to talk with her for a bit, it was pleasant and the scenery made the encounter even better. After a while though zeke decided to go around and see who else he could pester. He gives Etoile a wave before going on his way.
Zeke stays to talk with her for a bit, it was pleasant and the scenery made the encounter even better. After a while though zeke decided to go around and see who else he could pester. He gives Etoile a wave before going on his way.
BOT
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" i hope they don't make fun of you... you didn't choose to need glasses " she sounded sympathetic.
She enthusiastically waved back, wishing him "a fun evening!! 
️ I'll see you later, kitty cst ️
" as she stayed seated to enjoy the scenery some more, although a little tipsy. for now. She didn't even realize that Zeke already took his Martini back
i hope they don't make fun of you... you didn't choose to need glasses " she sounded sympathetic.
She enthusiastically waved back, wishing him "a fun evening!! ️ I'll see you later, kitty cst ️" as she stayed seated to enjoy the scenery some more, although a little tipsy. for now. She didn't even realize that Zeke already took his Martini back
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BOT
Having once again floated around the party avoiding most of the guests for his own temper and blood pressure’s sake, Morgan finally finds himself a way out and into some fresher air, walking out and into the balcony as he looks around to see if there is anyway else. When he sees that the coast is very much clear he sighs and rolls his shoulders, walking to the railing as he pulls out something from his suit.
Parties really isn’t his forté, so with a learned hand Morgan cracks open a small box of cheaper cigars and leans with his back against the railing, fiddling with his lighter. Time for a little smoke break 
[OPEN RP, feel free to throw whoever!]
[OPEN RP, feel free to throw whoever!]
BOT
"Cigars? You have fine taste, Mr. Baskerville."
Out from the dark comes the reverend, shadows parting to reveal his form. It seems the man has been sitting out here for a long time; the wind has tousled his hair out of place, and he has his own cigarette between his gloved fingers, burning down to ash. He takes one last puff before he extinguishes it on the edge and wraps it in a napkin. Another sin to add to his growing list. He's already itching for another puff of that dry nicotine.
He spares the man a kind smile, and moves closer, though not so much as to intrude in his personal space.
"How have you been enjoying the party? Have you bonded much with your coworkers?" The way he speaks, it's almost as if he's an outsider.
@Jerry (Sun) ☀🌾 Deputy Morgan 
BOT
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And just as the reverend speaks lights the little flame from the lighter, licking at the cigar as Morgan’s eyes flick up and watch Silva, though his sharp look seems to soften as he sees it is just a familiar face. He moves the cigar to the side slightly as he slips the lighter into his blazer again, right above the heart. He lets some silence linger as he takes a drag before fully turning his attention to the religeous figure.
“Silva.” He gives a polite nod. “Good to see ya have survived the party as well.” Morgan hasn’t seen much of him, so he expected he might have been one of the unfortunate victims to take part of the closets. God bless his poor heart, or whatever they say. “I’s fine, Ah suppose, was used as a crab leg cracker earlier, but that’s about all. ‘N’ ya? Ya been blessin’ these party halls yaself?”
He does give the man a look over, his nose giving a tiny twitch of curiousity.
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Morgan doesn’t question the silence that is between the two men, if anything he accepts it, bathes it in. It’s easier to be quiet than talk about the deeper meanings of what makes a friend, a question that some find as easy as a textbook definition of companionship, but gets muddled in Morgans mind. But despite his weird stance on friends and friendship — He’d still call Jacob a friend.
Sure he didn’t know much of the man, he was a co-worker and reverend, seemingly a kind man who took his job serious and didn’t do too much unneeded silliness. He appreciated that immensely, especially with the LQCC. Sometimes he felt a bit alone in his stances, though Jacob and Jericho seemed to favour his view on work focus. That and he was... Kinder than most, he supposed.
Tapping a few more ashes into his handkerchief he rumbles quietly, almost like a big grumpy bear. “Well Ah hope Ah help feed ya curiousity plenty. Wouldn’t exactly call it an honor, Ah ain’t no royalty or celebrity now.”
You’re a good man, Mr. Baskerville.
He takes a moment for that to sink in a bit, lifting the hand with the cigar to rub under his nose in thought. Was he now?
“No.”
He answers it plainly, almost painfully honest. “So thank ya, Silva. Ah’d say the same for ya, but Ah ain’t wanna be soundin’ like some echo now.”
@crow ✝ jacob de silva [HXYASG SORRY THESE ARE GETTING SO LONG HIDES FACE......]
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Laughter was not what Morgan had expected at that moment, though as it went on he didn’t much question it. Laughter was the usual reaction he got to these moments afterall — hence why he stopped having hearts to hearts. Instead of dwelling on it though, Morgan wrinkles his nose a little and lifts the cigar to his lips again to take a deep inhale and listen and watch, like ceberus does to Hades, curious and knowing of his place but quiet.
“Had Ah not known better Ah would be questionin’ why ya butterin’ me up, Silva. The lobsters inside, ya ain’t need to give me all ya compliments.” Morgan turns his head to look down at the gardens below, locking eyes with anything other than Jacob as he got smothered in Jacobs words. Though he seems a little put off or even surprised, Morgan doesn’t actively move away. Like a dog, he stays by the mans side.
“Well ya right ‘bout bein’ scary.” Morgan hums, crossing his arms. A heart to heart. Morgan lifts his gaze back up to Jacob and tilts his head, a cocked eyebrow causing a crease in his face. “... Ah suppose Ah don’t mind, no, heavy conversations ain’t scare me.”
“Ya are usually on the other side of the confessional booth, ain’t ya, Silva.”
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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I was paying you compliments in hope that you’d think of me as your best friend instead.
“I know ya are a clever man Silva, so start actin’ like it.” Morgan’s voice is dry and steady, not yet hitting the tinge of anger or holding any amusement. “If ya want to speak to me, then ya speak honest ‘n’ true, got it? Ain’t no need for all them compliments.” You share a light with someone and let them be your friend and they go straight to the transparent lousey compliments.
“Alotta people say that, but what’s stronger is a person who ain’t even had to be scarred in the first place, if ya ask me. Ah survived, yes, but that ain’t the focus, it’s why ya got them.” Morgan gave another cocked eyebrow at Jacob. “Ya wouldn’t be walkin’ ‘round sayin’ Well ya survived to a kid with permanent boo-boo’s on his knees, wouldya now?” His voice gives way to a more nudging tone, perhaps even a joke.
“Only natural, liquid courage ‘n’ all that. Lord knows some of our co-workers probably gettin’ mighty courageous tonight, so don’t ya feel bad takin’ a sip from the wine, champagne ‘n’ what not.” At the apology, Morgan waved his hand dismissively. “Ah have heard worse, Ya don’t need to go apologizin’ for blabberin’. ‘Sides, Ah am more of a listner anyway.”
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Getting to the end of his cigar, Morgan takes a deep inhale before he finally extinquishes it on the railing, picking up the remains and storing it in his handkerchief with the rest of the ash before dusting the left over particles off, ridding the crime scene of smoking evidence. “Uhuh.”
That’s the one good part about Morgan, despite his murky self and inability to be transparent, his words and actions appear transparent at least. Jacob isn’t the only one who isn’t thinking too heavily about this conversation, nor is he the only one who appears to just enjoy some normal conversation for once.
At the slap to the forehead, Morgan shakes his head slightly, more in a sort of oh boy, kind of way than actually having any tiredness or disappointment. “Ya are forgiven, reverend.” In Morgan’s eyes you are at least. But what about His? “Well, thank ya kindly. But Ah might hafta cut this easy talkin’ short, Silva, Ah can’t be standin’ ‘ere all night smokin’ my lung blacker than tar, ya know?”
@crow ✝ jacob de silva [SORRY FOR THE LATENESS, timezones man... grips sand... I AM BUSY WITH MY LAST EXAM TODAY so if you’re okay with ending it here that’d be poggers!! ]
]
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Tyler turned around, surprised by all the sudden commotion.
"Cam. Saif." His voice was even as always.
Squints.
"....What are you doing, Cam? 
" She was in an...odd pose. The gears didn't click in his brain that she was trying to sneak up on him.
Either way, he shakes his head. "No, feel free to join." Directed at the both of them.
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford sorry for short post tyler has nothing to add rn LOL
" She was in an...odd pose. The gears didn't click in his brain that she was trying to sneak up on him.
Either way, he shakes his head. "No, feel free to join." Directed at the both of them.
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford sorry for short post tyler has nothing to add rn LOL
BOT
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“Ah, It will bring us together, alright - often in some of the worst ways,” she remarks nonchalantly at Saif’s comment, well-versed in the woes of office intimacies though not of her own experiences. One hears many stories from disgruntled employees after a few glasses of liquid courage.
The delicate and minute touches of cool fingertips against her flushing cheeks relax her wheeling mind, charcoaled eyelashes dusting her cheeks as she closes her eyes and enjoys the moment of closeness with Tyler. It takes her self-control to not nuzzle into his hand, knowing that would ruin the sensation for her – scarce touches and subtle intimacy, whether platonically or romantically initiated, was a guaranteed method to capture and keep her attention.
The tranquil night and its lofty breeze compounded with the mint detective’s emanating body heat lulls her into a dream-like state, almost like a hibernation while her body processes the remaining liquors in her system. That was until Saif asks their question about one of her drinks.
Cameron is alert now, perking up as she looks at her colourful friend with a smile. Who is she to turn down a chance to showcase her skills with mixing drinks? While Cameron slinks away from behind Tyler, one of her arms remain slung over his shoulder, ensuring he remains a part of the conversation. She knew he was no drinker – and she wouldn’t force or pressure him to drink – but she was sure an appley juice or two could sate him while Saif ventures into inebriation.
“I’d never say no to making a drink for ya, El Nesr. The bar here’s not bad in the slightest. Lullaby stocked it with some real good selections of alcohols and mixers – even imported apple juices,” she adds, particularly for Tyler.
“We can make some drinks and head back out here? I don’t think I’m completely ready to reintegrate myself with the party.” She certainly wasn’t prepared to write any eyewitness reports to any shenanigans.
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@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN 
pls don't match me lol))
pls don't match me lol))
Exported 57 message(s)
LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / margaritaville
Original message was deleted.
BOT
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The awful accent gets a chuckle out of her, turning around with a retail-worthy smile to the bar 'patron'. Shaken?
"You got two hands, Mr Bind, make it yourself~" She hums while stirring her martini methodically; with no time crunch of serving others, she can take her time to get the right dilution. "If you want a cloudy, watery and bitter martini stick with shaken..."
She pours out the drink in a martini glass, its clarity rivaling a crystal, and slides it towards Zeke. Her eyes linger a while on his formal wear before she breaks her attention away.
"But if you want a good martini, stirred always trumps~"
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BOT
"Cloudy, watery, and bitter? That just sounds like my ex." he jokes before picking up the concoction.
"Well, you're the mixologist here. I'll just have to take your word for it, eh?"
"Well, down the hatch!" He exclaims before taking a sip. His eyebrows furrow, yeah it was bitter.
he jokes before picking up the concoction.
"Well, you're the mixologist here. I'll just have to take your word for it, eh?"
"Well, down the hatch!" He exclaims before taking a sip. His eyebrows furrow, yeah it was bitter.
BOT
"Eh y'know its bound to happen-" he pauses, letting her comment sink in.
"Hey! What's wrong with my shoes?" He lifts foot up as if to somehow prove a point. But the only thing it proves is that his socks were far too bright.
He gives a wave of his hand, "Yeah well you look like the mistress from the soap opera that killed the old bastard husband." He says this like it's a burn but he thought she looked really nice. She doesnt need to know that though.
"You have fun playin' bartender. I'm gonna go mingle."
BOT
"Cams?" They're in Suit for now - the night is young and they are keeping it classy (for once in their god damn life, and also because they never have an excuse to wear a tux). A blink at her outfit. Eyes drifting down and then snapping back up because they are 
respecting womene..g.g.
"What are you working for?" Teasing. "It's a party, you know." @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
respecting womene..g.g.
"What are you working for?" Teasing. "It's a party, you know." @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"Lulla..." She didn't even have to look up to know who it was but when she does, she is almost taken aback by the smartly dressed Lullaby, grinning to herself. "My my, don't you clean up well when you wanna?"
She chuckles at their tease, twirling the stem of the martini glass sitting on the counter between her fingers. "Right...I just...wanted to check what kinda alcohols we're working with. Gotta start the night of right...so, how do you wanna start yours?" Cameron gives them a wink, leaning slightly against the counter.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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BOT
Ernest had to stop for a second to collect himself before leaving for the venue this evening— he wasn’t wont to try when it came to appearances, no now, never was- the last time he’d worn a tux was for graduation. The last time he’d put pomade in his hair, dad helped him. And Lestrade’s color palette choices were so……… bleh on him. But he’d rather mooch off him than someone else.
A drink or two to soothe the nerves should help. He wasn’t looking to get crazy tonight but he needed some courage to get through it at all. So upon seeing some familiar faces as he walked into the venue, well… he beelined toward them
“Hey Cam! Luls,” Ernest hummed. “You… guys look really good.” ️
“Hey Cam! Luls,” Ernest hummed. “You… guys look really good.” ️
BOT
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"Peer pressure..."
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"Coworker conformity..."
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"Assimilation"
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"Really putting that first syllable into it..... j.k."
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If there were any analytical gazes on him, he wouldn’t know. He slips off the (also stolen) overcoat he’d arrived in, slinging it over his wrist as he rolled up his sleeves. Cameron’s cooing wins her a sheepish half-smile. Little gentleman? (lol)
“Is it?” He snorts. “It was hard finding something that fit me.” Color wise, and… you know. “He made the ugliest face I have ever seen, but in the end he was surprisingly nice about it just said not to get it dirty or at least dryclean it if I did, so…”
He chuckles at Lullaby’s comments as the two had their little exchange. Even still, he reaches out for the can like Cameron had read his mind.
“T’s fine Luls, I would’ve asked for one anyway.” He takes a modest sip in between chuckling.
just said not to get it dirty or at least dryclean it if I did, so…”
He chuckles at Lullaby’s comments as the two had their little exchange. Even still, he reaches out for the can like Cameron had read his mind.
“T’s fine Luls, I would’ve asked for one anyway.” He takes a modest sip in between chuckling.
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They grin - "I bet he has the ugliest face in general. You look real.. real nice though, Erns." They pat the seat next to them.
"Lobster sounds delicious. Kinda wish we got steak too." They chug the rest of their iced tea. "Can I get a beer too, Miss Bartend?" They gotta catch up! Gotta! Stay up there!
They gotta catch up! Gotta! Stay up there!
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"Oh yeah, real ugly like his heart - if not we can make his face match his personality..." She opens a beer for Lullaby and passes it to them. "Of course, beer for the sweetie in the suit."
"Damn, steak?? Now you've just shattered my heart at the missed opportunity of surf n' turf...Next time~"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @li 📽 ernie
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“He has a very punchable face, that’s true,” Ernest concurs before taking another sip.
“Thanks though, Lullaby. You look really good too, I like what you did with your hair.” He sits down comfortably, setting his folded coat on the floor next to his seat.
“Steak…..” 
“You guys tellin’ me we’re just boiling lobster without anythin’ else? What about sides? Did we rent out this whole space just for plain lobster?”
He tilts the can up and downs the rest of its contents without any prior warning. Then he sets the can down on the bar table with a content sigh.
“You guys tellin’ me we’re just boiling lobster without anythin’ else? What about sides? Did we rent out this whole space just for plain lobster?”
He tilts the can up and downs the rest of its contents without any prior warning. Then he sets the can down on the bar table with a content sigh.
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"Potatoes, fightin' and alcohol's in me blood"
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“I guess if the food sucks we have a backup plan now” “We could all talk in British accents, pretend to be actors and see if anyone would ask to take photos with us.”
“We could all talk in British accents, pretend to be actors and see if anyone would ask to take photos with us.”
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"It's always the most fun like that, huh... going stupid places in fancy clothes.. or fancy places in stupid clothes." They grin, sipping on their beer as they talk. "I'm no good at accents though - my grandparents are always saying my Mandarin is too American."
"Have you guys been to the picture station yet...?" @li 📽 ernie @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
"Have you guys been to the picture station yet...?" @li 📽 ernie @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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Lok doesn't want to embarrass themself in front of the actual Mandarin speakers in this chat. Therefore:
"Oh, we match." They smile - taking a closer look at Ernie's features to see if he looks Visibly Chinese. "And uhhh [You two look beautiful]?"
"There's a polaroid at the picture station I think. Not video, but close...? I mean... I guess we could do... stop motion.....?"
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”You are as well.”
“Two halves make a whole, I guess” Ernest snorts. He gets up at the others’ suggestion, picking up his coat and leaving it on the barstool.
“To the photobooth it is, then! I hope the Reverend turns up at some point…” they’re always wearing gloves…
Ernest snorts. He gets up at the others’ suggestion, picking up his coat and leaving it on the barstool.
“To the photobooth it is, then! I hope the Reverend turns up at some point…” they’re always wearing gloves…
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Jacob's been wandering the party, mingling here and there but never quite devoting themselves to one group. At first they were curious about the venue, and then after that the food — quite the luxurious, upstate meal for a group of forty-or-more detectives, all with different palates. They never should've underestimated the power of the $$ rich $$ who decided to ally themselves with the agency.
They don't really have a license in serving liqueur, but there's a curious glance at the bar. In the end, Jacob can't do anything to resist temptation, pouring themselves a few fingers of whiskey on ice. After a nice sip, their interest strays to the pool table, with its balls still unbroken in the middle of the velvet green.
Another sip. They're eyeing it... then they go and grab a pool cue to play.
( play pool with jacob? )
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A stray anchovy finds her way near the billiards. It'd been a while since she'd last played.... she'd never been very good at it.
She looks around to find a pool stick short enough for her to use....
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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She sees someone approach, and vaguely tries to pull up a name... She'd never met them before, but she'd heard him over the walkie talkie before.... plus he had a personality that was hard not to notice....
What was his name again..... Egbert?
She decides to wait for the Reverend to speak first.
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The face she pulls makes him chuckle a bit, one that he tries to disguise behind a hand as a cough.
"That's too steep a bet for a simple pool game," Jacob murmurs, letting his weapon of choice cue rest against the bar for a moment as he pours a drink, then heads to the front of the pool again. He gestures for Xiaoru to try her shot with a hand wave. "I won't impose on miss Zhang..." Uhoh, here comes the alcohol talking. He says it before he even registers the thought.
"...but I'll have a personal bet with you, Mr. Keller."
The priest sighs, then looks up at his deskmate with a smile, sickly saccharine. "No flirting with me for a month."
@hyu 👓 albert @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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She makes another expression, this time something more along the lines of really-right-in-front-of-my-salad?
She picks up a shorter cue, blatantly ignoring her two coworkers, and trying her hand at a shot.
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before disappearing... or something... pensive
"A month?" Albert hums, picking himself back up to grab a drink, which he thoughtfully sips. "We can work something out. Here's what I want out of it —" He slides up right next to Jacob, hand raised so no one could possibly read his lips as he whispers a very secretive bargain into the priest's ear. Maybe it was something only the two of them could know, or maybe it was just to make the bet seem more enticing than it really was. To be honest, he just said the first thing that came to mind; Albert doesn't really expect much in the way of his (very platonic and professional) relationship with Jacob.
"Does that sound good?" He gives them a thumbs up, then goes to watch over what Xiaoru is doing. "You should move your elbow up!"
@crow ✝ jacob de silva @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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She listens to Albert's advice and lifts her elbow up just slightly as she takes careful aim...
...and then she lets her cue loose. The white ball flies straight, knocking one ball cleanly into a net, and then ricocheting and hitting a second into another net. [ROLL DEX 21]
Pleased, she straightens her back and walks over to fix her angle, and then knocks another ball in. And then another.
And then another.
And then she's on the 8 ball.
"...back right pocket." She murmurs her call out quietly, and then aims...
... and ends the game cleanly. [DEX 17]
@crow ✝ jacob de silva @hyu 👓 albert
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The suggestion makes his face color, and he whips to look at Albert, scandalized. The tips of his ears are red, and he pinches the man when he passes by, looking almost insulted. He looks like he has a few strong words for him, and the alcohol loosens his tongue enough that he feels free to say it even with another in the room.
“You are out of line, Albert, and even should you win — which is highly unlikely, as I have been practiced playing with competition-level players — you would find yourself regretting to have ever made that bet, so I should hope you find it within yourself to reconsider, and not only that, but think very carefully about what kind of tone you want to set between us—“
Instead, Jacob takes another hard swig (read: fucking empties) of his whiskey before setting it down with a forceful clang. He’s about to pick up his cue before —
“Back right pocket.”
“Miss Zhang?” He sounds a bit disbelieving, gawping. “What —“
@hyu 👓 albert @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
“Miss Zhang?” He sounds a bit disbelieving, gawping. “What —“
@hyu 👓 albert @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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She straightens up and stretches languidly, and then looks at Jacob and Albert.
...Is that a smug look on her face?
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He claps, a bit awed.
He claps, a bit awed.
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Feeling a little tired from her flex, she sits down on the nearby sofa and holds up her fingers in an OK sign. 
She'd play referee for their gamble, why not. As long as she didn't have to do it standing, it was less effort than having to socialize.
@hyu 👓 albert @crow ✝ jacob de silva
She'd play referee for their gamble, why not. As long as she didn't have to do it standing, it was less effort than having to socialize.
@hyu 👓 albert @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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"Oh yes, tell us more, Reverend." He converses while resetting the table ( 
) and doesn't complain even ONCE about doing it! He's getting pretty confident too, watching as Jacob stumbles over himself after one too many drinks. A part of him wants to tell him to slow down and drink more water — the more evil side of him just wants to watch him give in to these indulgences.
Something something, sin, right?
"Anyway, this should be done." He picks up a cue stick and chalks up. "You wanna go first, Jacob? Or should I?"
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
) and doesn't complain even ONCE about doing it! He's getting pretty confident too, watching as Jacob stumbles over himself after one too many drinks. A part of him wants to tell him to slow down and drink more water — the more evil side of him just wants to watch him give in to these indulgences.
Something something, sin, right?
"Anyway, this should be done." He picks up a cue stick and chalks up. "You wanna go first, Jacob? Or should I?"
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Well, if Albert was being kind enough to offer, who was he to refuse?
14.
A solid enough start. Breaking the triangle is easy enough, but he’s pleased to see one curve right into a pocket. He sends one ball in the hole, then two, bent over the pool table, expression utterly focused as he stalks around the green velvet, looking for points of attack. The initial onslaught only ends when Jacob’s hand slips and the ball falls just short of tripping into a pocket, and Jacob straightens with a pursed sigh, glancing over to Albert.
A few of his hairs have come undone from the gel, and curl with sweat. Someone’s taking this seriously.
“Go ahead.”
@hyu 👓 albert
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A solid enough start. Breaking the triangle is easy enough, but he’s pleased to see one curve right into a pocket. He sends one ball in the hole, then two, bent over the pool table, expression utterly focused as he stalks around the green velvet, looking for points of attack. The initial onslaught only ends when Jacob’s hand slips and the ball falls just short of tripping into a pocket, and Jacob straightens with a pursed sigh, glancing over to Albert.
A few of his hairs have come undone from the gel, and curl with sweat. Someone’s taking this seriously.
“Go ahead.”
@hyu 👓 albert
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He must've been caught off guard by Jacob's sudden change in tone because he... completely misses his first shot.
3...
How could he do much worse than Jacob who's completely off his shits right now?! Was Jacob that determined to beat him and make him give in to his demands? Why did it feel like Jacob was putting his all into this right now? Does he... does he hate Albert or something?!
"Uh..." He awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, purposefully avoiding Jacob's eyes. "That was. I mean, I haven't played in a while soo..." That's so embarrassing.
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
3...
How could he do much worse than Jacob who's completely off his shits right now?! Was Jacob that determined to beat him and make him give in to his demands? Why did it feel like Jacob was putting his all into this right now? Does he... does he hate Albert or something?!
"Uh..." He awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, purposefully avoiding Jacob's eyes. "That was. I mean, I haven't played in a while soo..." That's so embarrassing.
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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"We all make mistakes." He says this very kindly, as if he wasn't just thinking not me though.
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He wipes up another, though the next misses. He clicks his tongue; the game is well on its way to be over, and his mind is already clearing up with a little bit of exercise. He moves around the table like a practised shark, keeping distance perpendicular to Albert always.
Though the man seems... miserly.
"Worried?" He calls, though more out of concern than a taunt. His brows furrow. He almost pities the man. "What's wrong, A— Mr. Keller?"
@hyu 👓 albert
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He wipes up another, though the next misses. He clicks his tongue; the game is well on its way to be over, and his mind is already clearing up with a little bit of exercise. He moves around the table like a practised shark, keeping distance perpendicular to Albert always.
Though the man seems... miserly.
"Worried?" He calls, though more out of concern than a taunt. His brows furrow. He almost pities the man. "What's wrong, A— Mr. Keller?"
@hyu 👓 albert
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Albert thinks he's got it this time, perfectly lines up his next shot so he can at least have some points on the board. But... 5. He miserably misses again, watching as the ball narrowly misses and hits the edge, slowing to a stop at the center.
"Gh... Don't pity me, Jacob," he frowns, but tries to play it off as a joke. "I'm really out of practice, y'know?" There's an exaggerated sigh, and he waves his hand like he's waiting for the moment to pass. Clearly he's bothered by losing, but something else pricks at the back of his head.
"Go ahead and take your last shots, Revvy — or we can just call it your win already."
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
5. He miserably misses again, watching as the ball narrowly misses and hits the edge, slowing to a stop at the center.
"Gh... Don't pity me, Jacob," he frowns, but tries to play it off as a joke. "I'm really out of practice, y'know?" There's an exaggerated sigh, and he waves his hand like he's waiting for the moment to pass. Clearly he's bothered by losing, but something else pricks at the back of his head.
"Go ahead and take your last shots, Revvy — or we can just call it your win already."
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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He frowns.
As much as he didn't want Albert to win, he also didn't want him to lose, not if it meant severing one of the only friendships he's managed to make. Despite all the teasing, it's just that. Teasing. Harmless, but annoying. They're both old enough to know that Jacob would never say yes, and Jacob has a surprising amount of endurance and patience when it came to 'flirting'.
He's not sure why it gets to him, really. He hasn't been sure of a lot of things recently.
"I apologize."
He means that sincerely, and he shakes his head to himself as he makes short work of the rest of the board, expertly shooting each ball into a pocket. When only the black 8 is left, shiny and polished, he takes this time to say the rest of his piece.
"I want something else as my bet when I win, actually."
@hyu 👓 albert
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He tries to contain the smile upon hearing Albert's voice. He fails.
"Just pick up my tab for me next lunch, alright?" Moeblob mode: on. He doesn't have the heart nor the teeth to be unkind to someone he wants to keep — or is it someone he sees potential in using?
He smiles kindly at Albert and, without looking, shoots the 8-ball into the opposite corner.
[GAME: OVER.]
"Or if that doesn't suit your tastes, buy me a new bible." It's a lighthearted joke, and he smiles when he says it. "The binding on my old one is failing."
@hyu 👓 albert
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"You idiot, choose something else," He lightly kicks at Jacob's leg — not enough to scuff it. "I'd buy you lunch anyway."
He huffs, watching the final ball drop into the netting. Ah, it was his loss! Too bad; he would've love to win, but... maybe that would've turned out worse?
"I'll get you a new bible then, I guess. You got a favorite version?" See, with his small knowledge of religion, Albert at least knows about the existence of differently written(?) books. "Or something else... I dunno, you won so I guess I'll just do anything you want me to."
But he's glad Jacob doesn't seem mad at him anymore. Maybe it was just the alcohol getting to his head...?
"So... now what?"
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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She has been here the entire time just Watching. And Officiating the win.
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Ernest beelines for the bar, harvests a pack of beer and then he is gone without a trace.
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Wandering past the pool table, Adrian shuffles like a zombie towards the bar. He walks right around the bar table, up to the shelf of drinks. Taking a moment to rummage through the selection, he pulls out the most expensive vintage from the wine rack. He uncorks it in silence and walks off, wine bottle in hand.
He's not paid enough for this.
Actually, if you factor in all the "donations" he's been giving to the agency, he's not paid at all. LQCC's a net negative in his checkbooks.
He takes a swig straight from the bottle before walking away. 
♂️
He takes a swig straight from the bottle before walking away. ♂️
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"Done already?" A voice calls from somewhere over Jacob's shoulder.
Mika steps aside as one Adrian Liu ambles past him, a shambling corpse clutching a bottle. He watches, expression unreadable before turning back to the folks huddling the now reset pool table.
"Spare a game for a lonely man." He asks, though in his usual fashion of not asking at all. He glances between Albert and The Reverend, whichever cares to take under their wing this poor lost soul in need of amusement.
@crow ✝ jacob de silva @hyu 👓 albert ((Mentions Adrian---I hope u don't mind me....Dropping this thing in here....))
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She'd likely dozed off a few times while watching the game, but they didn't need to know that.
Dinner sounded great, but a new challenger was approaching, and so Xiaoru sits back down in the sofa while waiting to see what happens next.
She eyes his eyepatch and wonders idley if he has enough depth perception to play...
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He does not.
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"Oh, you're that guy that soaked a bunch of us with water that one time," Albert rolls his eyes when he recognizes Mika — not like it's hard to forget someone who almost ruined your clothes that day.
"You want to play the three of us — er, four?" He quickly corrects himself, remembering Xiaoru is still resting quietly in the room. "Little lady's a better player than any of us, apparently. She'll kick your ass."
It's... a... half... joke? Considering how hard she pwned them earlier, he wouldn't be surprised if she unleashes her raw power unto them again.
"We can run a bet or two while we're at it, just like last time. If you're interested in those, of course!"
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika +everyone... in proximity
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"Mr. Romanov." His head tilts curiously, though already unconsciously makes space — and lucky for him, there's one last cue on the wall. At the mention of Xiaoru, Jacob suppresses a small laugh.
"Miss Zhang is a force to be reckoned with," he agrees. "You'll find yourself to be with quite a competent set of enemies against you, Mr. Romanov. I'm sorry for what's about to happen."
Was Jacob bragging? Maybe a little bit. Albert got his ass served to him in the last game. He leans on his cue as he thinks on a worthy bet; Jacob is not a gambling man, but he did like favors owed.
"I'm curious to hear what you'll be putting on the table this time, Mr. Keller."
@hyu 👓 albert @geeck 🌙 xiaoru @Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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His placid smile widens into something a little more genuine at Alberts somewhat exasperated expression. Incapable of remembering his name though people seemed to be he was happy to know that he'd at least made an impression on this one. He thinks fondly back on hosing everyone down. Good times.
Of course, the Reverend is attentive enough to use his actual title, their previous history of pizza parlor based interaction preceding them...
At both person's indication, Mika leans over just a touch to glance around the Billiards table to Xiaoru's politely seated form. He gives her a little wave, like one might a puppy in a pet shop window. He straightens up again at Jacob's boast. What a foreboding way of putting it. He can't help but let loose a chuckle.
"I like a challenge." He says as he plucks the remaining pool cue off the rack. Really, he knew he was no match for them, given he was already playing with a pretty steep handicap--this was just for the fun and intrigue of it-perhaps muscle memory would kick in? Well, it's not as if he was planning on betting anything too precious, not like he had anything precious to bet.
Speaking of, he listens expectantly for Albert to make the opening bid, chalking his cue as he does.
@hyu 👓 albert @crow ✝ jacob de silva @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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She doesn't seem to mind the nature of the wave she receives, giving Mika a languid wave back from her place on the couch.
Ehhhhh.... She listens to Albert and Jacob speak of her skills highly and slouches a bit. Stop... don't raise the expectations..... She preferred quitting while she was still ahead, but it didn't seem like they'd let her sit out this round...
She doesn't have much to bet, and she'd rather not be exchanging money with her coworkers... She tries to think back on anything else....
"...forehead flick." A bit childish, but enough incentive not to lose, without any real losses. The she eyes the three mens' forearms with mild wariness... perhaps some braincells would be sacrificed.
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika @hyu 👓 albert @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Oh christ, he didn't want to be metaphorically pushed forward by Jacob when he wasn't ready, especially since he suffered a humiliating loss just the game before. A part of him thinks about abandoning it all entirely, making up some excuse to watch or leave to do something else, but Xiaoru is stuck here too so... it kind of makes him feel better. And at least Mika only has one eye, so his depth perception can't possibly be that good. At the very least, he doesn't expect to be dead last.
"How about some coffee? My treat next week, if I lose." He mindlessly chalks his pool cue again (even though it barely wore since the first time). "Anyway, you pick something too, Jacob!" The not-chalked end lightly pokes at their side while Albert prods him for a bet.
"These are low stakes gambles, so if someone raises the bar, I'll call too." He says that like he has any faith in his skill. In reality, Albert is hoping no one takes him up on that offer and just thinks he's cooler than he actually is.
@crow ✝ jacob de silva @Nyaph 🌺 Mika @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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Oh, at least the bets were funny this round. It beats last round's, at least.
There's a noncommital hum from the priest. It's not like he could offer to do their paperwork for them, nor was he particularly keen on being a coffee boy... gift cards it is, then. "I'll buy the winner 500 credits worth of whatever you like." 50 dollars, in other words. Pocket change. How much can a banana cost, 70 credits?
A gesture for Mika to summon up his end of the bet. Call it or raise, Romanov.
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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Mika sticks his tongue in his cheek thoughtfully as he looks over the table. A pretty fun little assortment of favors had started accruing in light of their wagers. It would be fairly in character for him to raise the stakes he thinks...He glances over his table-mates. Too bad The Reverend wasn't as keen to show skin as his compatriots.
He moves to place a hand on the edge of the billiards table thoughtfully--only to miss his mark and swat at the air for just a moment--right. He should remember what kind of equipment he was working with now. That being said he didn't even really have all that much to offer. Bodyguard for a day? A peak under his eyepatch? So many choices.
"A lift. To anywhere, anytime." A free taxi ride to anywhere--on the back of a pretty nice motorcycle, sounded pretty good to him.
"If that's no good. Coffee too." He adds, memories of Jacob rebuking his previous offer for a ride resounding in his mind. He leans on the table properly.
@crow ✝ jacob de silva @hyu 👓 albert @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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@geeck 🌙 xiaoru
its time to D-D-D-D-D-D-D-DD-DUEL: 1d20 (18) + 1
Total: 19
its time to D-D-D-D-D-D-D-DD-DUEL: 1d20 (18) + 1
Total: 19
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@hyu 👓 albert
Result: 1d20 (7)
Total: 7
Result: 1d20 (7)
Total: 7
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@crow ✝ jacob de silva
god if you're out there: 1d20 (1)
Total: 1
god if you're out there: 1d20 (1)
Total: 1
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@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
Result: 1d20 (8) - 1
Total: 7
Result: 1d20 (8) - 1
Total: 7
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She starts them off solid, and easily lands her first few balls in. She's feeling pretty good, clearly warmed up.
She's grateful, too. Mika's offer for a ride was sounding pretty tempting, and the devil on her shoulder was whispering...
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They will not talk about how poorly Albert is doing tonight.
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Jacob is so intent on proving himself to the gathered gaggle of detectives that his palm slips on the butt of his cue and causes a freak accident that it hits his face straight up, making him flinch as he clutches at his bruised nose. His cue pretty much throws itself across the table and land with a clack, luckily hitting no one in the party.
Well. Everyone sure did see that. He wanders over, pretending that was all part of his plan, before he grabs his fallen cue and smiles. "I'm fine."
His nose was bleeding. He gets some tissues before they continue the second round.
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?! He winces at the blow before hopping to Jacob's side to also help. There's plenty of tissues here, so he doesn't need to get any more but... don't spill any... this place is a rental.
"Wow, I know I'm hot and all but I didn't think I was that hot." Albert can't help but make a joke, even if it's at Jacob's expense. To make up for it, he at least tries to help them control the bleeding, makes sure that their head stays straight to not swallow blood...
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He tips his head up, counting to ten as he pinches his nose. These things always did happen with an alarming frequency, though stopped just as quick.
"Thank you, Mr. Romanov." Comments from the peanut gallery... embarrassing for him to slip up, really. A scoff at Albert's reply, one that he barely deigns to acknowledge. The gift from Xiaoru makes him look down, blinking before gingerly taking the pack and adding it to the Pile Of Things He's Putting On Their Face. Thank you, Xiaoru. They appreciate you.
"This'll be over quick," he says pleasantly, slightly nasally through the tissue. "In the meantime, we should keep playing."
[ROUND TWO!]
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@geeck 🌙 xiaoru
round 2: 1d20 (13) + 1
Total: 14
round 2: 1d20 (13) + 1
Total: 14
@hyu 👓 albert
Result: 1d20 (12)
Total: 12
Result: 1d20 (12)
Total: 12
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
Result: 1d20 (11) - 1
Total: 10
Result: 1d20 (11) - 1
Total: 10
!roll 1d20
1
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3
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
Result: 1d20 (16)
Total: 16
Result: 1d20 (16)
Total: 16
3
BOT
1
Stopped bleeding. It's time to turn on the gamer mode.
They've caught up admirably in a few strides, and there's an air of smugness that immediately gets extinguished when they remember they were struck down not moments ago for their hubris. O god, grant me this victory...
[CURRENT TOTAL: 17.]
[FINAL ROUND!!]
1
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6
@hyu 👓 albert
Result: 1d20 (20)
Total: 20
Result: 1d20 (20)
Total: 20
6
5
BOT
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
Result: 1d20 (7) - 1
Total: 6
Result: 1d20 (7) - 1
Total: 6
Par for the course!!!
4
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3
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
KILL MURDER MAIM: 1d20 (4)
Total: 4
KILL MURDER MAIM: 1d20 (4)
Total: 4
3
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3
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru
GOGOGOGOGO: 1d20 (2) + 1
Total: 3
GOGOGOGOGO: 1d20 (2) + 1
Total: 3
3
BOT
3
3
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4
She watches, slightly disappointed as she stumbles on the carpet in her heels and misses her last shot by a considerable margin. Darn...
Total: 36
4
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5
5
5
He expected this outcome, so he's not terribly miffed (just a little miffed) What he didn't expect was the come from behind victory from Keller.
Well, he's just thankful he didn't smack himself in the face until his nose bled
Total: 23
Total: 23
5
5
5
BOT
Dead last. Even behind the guy who missed leaning on the table because he couldn't judge the distance accurately!
It's a far fall from his last win, and they were so sure Xiaoru would win again... imagine their surprise when it's Albert who calls the pocket and hits the 8-ball. They offer a polite golf clap for his troubles, and make a mental list to meditate more. Being prideful was a sin, after all.
Total: 21
"Good game," Jacob says, a polite smile on their face. The more observant can notice the strain in their jaw. "I suppose all the winnings go to you. You've redeemed yourself."
"Good game," Jacob says, a polite smile on their face. The more observant can notice the strain in their jaw. "I suppose all the winnings go to you. You've redeemed yourself."
BOT
Oh my god Albert is destroying these kids etc etc ur dogwater etc other gamer terms. He gets a little too excited about getting a strong lead at the last second, basically scoring every point (? mysterious pool terms...) until there are no other balls left on the table. While he was a little stiff and nervous from previous events, Albert ends up beaming like a hyped up puppy and dropping his pool cue on the floor.
Total: 39 
"Oh, thank god!" He exclaims, arms shooting up in the air. Now, he can celebrate with a drink, then turns to Jacob. "I kind of wish we kept that bet from earlier too, Reverend." Wink. Just kidding. He doesn't mean it... or does he? Do you regret not getting him to back off, Jacob?
"I'll be sure to cash those rewards in later..." But he walks over to Xiaoru first, making sure she isn't hurt, then lightly flicks her on the forehead. Not too hard — Albert is a gentleman, you know. "There, that's good enough."
2
3
3
"Oh, thank god!" He exclaims, arms shooting up in the air. Now, he can celebrate with a drink, then turns to Jacob. "I kind of wish we kept that bet from earlier too, Reverend." Wink. Just kidding. He doesn't mean it... or does he? Do you regret not getting him to back off, Jacob?
"I'll be sure to cash those rewards in later..." But he walks over to Xiaoru first, making sure she isn't hurt, then lightly flicks her on the forehead. Not too hard — Albert is a gentleman, you know. "There, that's good enough."
2
3
3
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3
2
1
She accepts her punishment gracefully, scrunching her eyebrows to brace herself for the pain... only for a light flick to hit. Her 3 int was safe for now.
She gives Albert a genuinely celebratory clap and thumbs up though. A very well played game! Albert had talent for this, she knew it. If he ever decided to quit being a detective she could introduce him to a few people...
3
2
1
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2
2
"Good game" He adds to the praise with his own series of quiet claps. He supposed he owed Keller a ride now. Perhaps if he didn't remind him he wouldn't remember? :]
He finds himself fixating on the way the Reverends jaw sets--was that a hint of barely contained anger he detected? Perhaps this game was worth playing after all.
He sets his cue against the table, quietly excusing himself with nothing more than a curt "Thanks for the game" and a salute. He's satisfied.
2
2
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1
1
Another scoff. "I'm lucky we only kept this round's bets, at least... very good games from all of you. Certainly skills the like of which I've only seen rarely." Whew, and they could use... a drink! They're already heading over. Maybe something not whiskey this time; they pop open a fresh can of clear soda and pour in half with some vodka. Good. There. Nice and tidy.
"I hope that satisfied your need for company, Mr. Romanov..." turning around with the second drink in his hand (Russians loved vodka, right?) he finds the man gone. Well. He takes a sip from Mika's. All his now.
"Dinner's just about ready too if you two want to eat," he calls to Xiaoru and Albert. "Lobster on the menu. Quite the exquisite taste."
1
1
i passed out last night. ROOM FREE!
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2
As she strolls through the hall after being outside, she finds herself by the dry bar. Already a little tired from balancing on her heels, she takes a seat, contemplating on if she really should drink something…? She can’t decide.
OPEN RP! Pls tag me if u wanna chat w Doris!
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5
Doris's smile makes Cameron smile more, taking out one of her hair grips to secure the stray hair Doris had brushed away from her face. "That's better and thank you Viray, though I definitely look better next to you." She grins playfully before listening to her eventful night, chuckling to herself.
"You got stuck in one of the closets too? Aint that some luck?...El Nesr is a nice person to be stuck with, at least. Have you eaten yet? there's still hopefully crab or lobster." Hao Xuan and her had wiped out a good portion of the food but her boot was stocked should Doris want anything.
"Oh? Go on, at least have one drink," she purrs while draping an arm over Doris's shoulder. "You're with me so what's the worse that can happen? I'll make sure you don't drink more than you need to..."
"To make a good recommendation, I need to know what you like in a drink." Her playful expression switches to a professional one now in bartending mode, hopping off to move behind the bar. @dee 🌼 doris
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2
Doris's face grows warmer with what Cameron says as she fixes her hair. Doris looks down at the counter to regather her thoughts, more than a little flustered. She's fairly sure her heart rate spiked for a moment. "T-thanks," she says looking up at her through her lashes, with a soft yet bright smile. "Though I'd say that back at you."
"Ah, yes... Saif is nice," She nods in agreement. Though their height was a bit intimidating, they treated Doris with kindness and patience, which she did appreciate. "I haven't eaten yet, no, I'll try to grab some food later."
Cameron is so handsy and Doris wonders vaguely if Cameron has had more than a few drinks or it this is just how she usually was. She's definitely leaning toward the idea that Cameron was just a naturally touchy person, though Doris didn't mind it at all. It was nice. And though she usually was reserved with giving physical affection to those she was not as close with, it was easy to lean into Cameron's arm hug. "Okay," She finds herself nodding, thoughts of all the possible negative things that could happen starting quieting down, captured by Cameron's charm.
"You're the expert, right? Hmm..." She purses her lips in thought as Cameron hops of and moves in front of her, into bartending mode. "Why don't you try guessing what I like?" @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
2
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2
“I’m an expert, yes… a mind reader? Not in the slightest but let’s give it a shot…what does Viray like?”
Cameron pauses in thought while watching Doris with clinical precision, trying to teem through her mental library of tastes associated with different groups of people. Doris was a tricky one; although her sweet and mild demeanour was the loudest note, there were several undertones that played beneath to make her more complex than maybe she even knew she was.
There was a fiery, bold and fearless side that Cameron witnessed at the park and pool when her filter was finally removed…but was that a taste she would go for? Maybe something mellow to counter the air of neuroticism she carries? Ernest and Doris were both old souls as they called themselves, individuals who enjoyed the simpler mundanities of life, wanted those that cared for them as much as they cared for others… Something homely and modest than grand and loud?
She sifts away once she’s come to an idea of a drink, rubbing her chin slowly.
“So…I have two options at the moment. One’s an Old Glory – it’s a sweet-forward one - vodka base - but mellow and refreshing from the blueberries and pinot noir; very light but complex, tastes and looks like 4th of July…classic, timeless."
"The other’s more milky option, a white chocolate martini – slightly sweeter than a regular chocolate martini but more delicate flavour-wise; rich but not indulgent, more filling if you haven’t eaten yet. White chocolate liqueur – maybe an additional splash of crème de cacao blanc to amp the chocolate flavour – with a vanilla vodka and milk... So how to those sound?”
@dee 🌼 doris
2
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1
Doris watches in awe with Cameron's skill and precision in making drinks. If she were to attempt anything like that she knows she would probably drop and spill everything in less than a second.
She takes the drink her her hand and takes a sip, tasting exactly how she imagined when Cameron described it. "This is really good," she says with an earnest nod. "Thank you," she says once again, taking another sip of the sweet concoction. But it was more than just a thanks for the drink, the tone of her voice cracking the slightest bit. A thank you for everything so far in the night from helping her get ready and to the drive here.
"I really admire you," She says after, looking down at the beautiful drink her hand. "And aha, I'm sure you already know this, but I'm.. not really the best at formal events o-or even chatting in general," She holds her tongue, not wanting to be more vulnerable than she already is feeling, "So your kindness is...... I really appreciate it." @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
1
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6
“You're naturally an empathetic person; for me...it's mainly memorisation and application." Not that she saw it as a negative that made her less - it allowed her to carry out tasks and make decisions that others weren't willing to or could deal with the aftermath of. Cameron's expression relaxes, moving away to pour herself another drink.
"Like with anything, you just keep taking those opportunities to challenge yourself until it feels second nature to do it. It doesn't even have to be big - start with being the first person to say good morning or asking others about their day. Give someone the compliment you've said in your head. Reply to one person in a group. Your confidence to do it will build, and soon you'll be initiating conversations like a pro!"
"You deserve to be listened to and seen - just remember that." @dee 🌼 doris
6
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4
4
Doris listens closely to Cameron's sound advice. Doris knows she herself is a perceptive person, but she supposes application really is key. But applying herself was hard when her brain is always going a five miles a minute, overthinking everything she says or does. Cameron's words of encouragement hit deep, and it almost makes her want to cry. It makes her feel seen and understood but it scares her at the same time. Times like this, she usually tries to find a way to escape, to not have to be vulnerable around others, but Cameron is so genuine that she stays rooted in her seat. Challenge herself... She'll try. She already has been trying, but she'll try harder.
You deserve to be listened to and seen - just remember that. Her eyes water. Oh no. Oh no she's going to cry. She doesn't want to cry, she hates crying in front of people. She sniffs and blinks, willing those tears not to fall, then takes a long sip of the sweet white chocolate drink.
"I'll try my best," she manages to say after putting the glass down, voice quiet but steady.
She's quiet for another moment, her usual storm of thoughts coming to a standstill, focused on the words Cameron had said. She was starting to get comfortable with Cameron... maybe... maybe she should take this as one of those opportunities to challenge herself.
Doris gives Cameron a shy smile, "Can you... teach me how to make one of these? Or... anything really. I'd love to learn from you." @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford you can end it off with your next post if you'd like!
4
4
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3
It seemed that her words might have planted a seed within Doris, but as with all plants, it takes time and care until a dormant seed can sprout. She sees something beautiful within Doris, but it is shrouded in layers of worry, repression and second-guessing – What she could tell was that the biggest obstacle was Doris – an alien concept for Cameron as one who championed herself.
Cameron remains quiet but receptive in the comforting stillness, allowing Doris the space to contemplate and process what she wants without any outside influence. As they say, 'you can bring the donkey to the water, but you can't force it to drink' – change begins within. No amount of sweet words or pep talks can change a heart that is already shielded or mind already set, but she has a niggling feeling that maybe something has changed in Doris.
"Saying you'll try is already a step in the right direction. I'll believe in you until you can believe in yourself."
She lets out a nasal chuckle and nods at the request, ushering Doris over to her side of the bar. "Of course I can show you how to. White chocolate Martini's a simple drink to make – most drinks are – but it's all about the execution and finesse."
Doris gets herself a free masterclass in mixology by the bartender. Cameron guides her through preparation to the final pour but lets Doris have a taste of ownership over creating the drink, only stepping in to course-correct a heavy-handed alcohol measure or unsealed shaker. "Shake out all your frustrations. It's a free arm workout!" The class culminates with a sweet drink that Doris can proudly state that she made and a shoulder pat from Cameron.
"Awesome job, Viray! You can show off your skills and make Ernie one in the future."
@dee 🌼 doris [THANK YOU FOR DORIS!! SHE IS SUCH A SWEETIE]
3
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1
You know. Sometimes you drop something and you're just perfectly angled so that you don't see someone else and they don't see you. And then you stand up.
And you see your [coworker].
From the other side of the table, Lullaby rises - pool cue in hand - and blinks at the sudden presence of Jericho.
"Hey." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
1
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1
Jericho stares at Lullaby when they suddenly rise into view (6'2, very noticeable). How the hell did he not notice them beforehand?
He raises an eyebrow. "Hey."
Jericho gestures to the pool cue they're holding. "...Are you looking for a match?"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
He raises an eyebrow. "Hey."
Jericho gestures to the pool cue they're holding. "...Are you looking for a match?"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
1
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1
Comedic effect <3
They twirl it around slowly DEX 11, managing not to drop it, but not looking particularly flashy either. "Nah, .... just here to stand around and pretend it's a sword."
".... yeah - you gonna teach me this one too?" @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
1
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1
Jericho rolls his eyes at their response. So childish.
Wait.
He gives them a quizzical look. "You don't know how to play???" Still, he walks around the pool table to pick up a pool cue for himself. "I can. But not for free," He answers as he turns back to them. No charity, not even during a lobster party.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
1
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2
They laugh. "No, I know how to play. Maybe not to your... satisfaction though." Half grin-half grimace.
"How much would it cost?" They stand to the side, watching him. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
2
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1
"Calling it luck.." They grin, moving over to stand on the same side as Jericho. "... you're just preparing to use that as an excuse if you lose."
"Do you want to break or should I?" @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
1
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2
Jericho huffs and glares at Lullaby as he applies chalk to his pool cue. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Jericho makes a gracious gesture towards Lullaby. "You may do the honors." There is no way in hell he's losing to them.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
2
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2
"How gracious." Teasing.
They break pretty well, sinking the ball they wanted and then continuing for a bit! Not bad, not bad. Lok definitely knows the ins and outs of pool.
"You're up~"
Total: 14
2
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3
Jericho shoots Lullaby a competitive look before taking position and making a shot. The balls clatter around for a bit, but they don't end up where he intended.
Jericho is definitely scowling now. 
Total: 9
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
Total: 9
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
3
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3
"......... what's wrong?" They take their turn, sinking a string of balls... and then wiping their forehead as if they've worked up a sweat. They haven't. "Kinda quiet today, Jericho."
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
+18
TOTAL: 32
They take their turn, sinking a string of balls... and then wiping their forehead as if they've worked up a sweat. They haven't. "Kinda quiet today, Jericho."
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
+18
TOTAL: 32
3
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4
"...Nothing's wrong." Jericho replies, an edge to his voice as he tries to line up his shot. Lullaby is not getting on his nerves. They are not getting on his--aaandd he completely whiffs it.
Jericho stiffly straightens his back and pretends that didn't just happen. "....I'm not being quiet at all." He says, extremely casually and normally. "How have you been finding the party?" The weakest semblance of conversation.
+4
Total: 13
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
4
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3
It's not often they get to see Jericho be bad at something. Maybe if they were a tad more sober, they'd at least pretend to keep their cool and be amused on the Inside. But as it is -- they're grinning wildly. A soft laugh, gloating.
".... it's been..."
Well. It started out normal and cute, and then they got kissed by a friend, slowdanced with someone who they thought hated them, got bitten by a whackjob, comforted their friend in a bathroom, and then kissed a friend again?
They suddenly look relatively lost.
And completely thrust their cue through the air instead of hitting anything. They hit themself with it actually, startling themself.
"..."
"I never went to prom. Or homecoming. Are all...................... planned functions like this.....?" 
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
+1
TOTAL: 33
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
+1
TOTAL: 33
3
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2
They begin to set the table again, not making eye contact. This isn't the sort of question they're used to getting from him, the kind of conversation one has with Jericho Vidali felt like it should contain less personal, open ended questions and more 'have you finished your paperwork' or 'you cannot put that in your eggs' or 'stop calling them, iggs, Lullaby'.
"I'm not good at being careful." They admit, in more ways than one.
A small, guilty bit of them finds a pleased selfishness in this moment - stealing Jericho away from the rest of the night. Maybe it's Pavlovian. A smoke-break association.
"I guess."
They finish setting up the table.
"Just been kind of a rush." They laugh, giving him a lazy grin. "How's your night been? - Oh, you can start this time." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
2
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2
Lullaby has always been soft, like a ball of cotton. No matter how much force he exerts, they always return to their normal fluffy, frivolous state. It's because of this, Jericho doesn't hold back with his words.
"No, you are not good at being careful at all," He confirms as he watches Lullaby set up the pool table. "You're type who does whatever they want to first and worries about the consequences afterwards." While there's no derision in his voice, there's no kindness to soften the blow either. A simple observation.
Jericho walks around the pool table so he's standing by Lullaby and starts lining up his shot.
"Perfectly average," he answers. Ernest's drunken 'I, too, experience homosexual attraction' confession is not something that needs to be mentioned or worthy of note, and neither is his brief locked closet stint.
Jericho makes his shot, and frowns when the balls clatter away in messy, unelegant angles. He's distracted. That must be why he's off. And he's off because Lullaby just won, which is really annoying, and not because Lullaby is acting off as well. Although, their behavior reminds him of how they were after their little fight with Patsy at the pool. His mind draws the natural conclusion Lullaby did something stupid yet again and is sulking over whatever minor lashback they got.
"So what'd you do that wasn't careful? Kiss someone you're not supposed to again?" He asks. It's not a serious question--a psychic attack to throw Lullaby off their game.
Total: 7
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
2
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2
They laugh, giving Jericho a smile at the reprimand. As if to say 'that's why you're here to look after me, isn't it?'.
Jericho's average night. They can't tell if it's true, or if it's just another thing he's tucked away. Their smile drops and they look away, pretending to observe the game. It's fine. They'll ask him about... something else next. Maybe where picked up that eyeshado-
"H-" A choked noise at the question, eyes wide. Is he a fucking mind reader? Wait. No, no, -- they get what he's pulling from, though it doesn't help the jolt in their posture... or the poor shot. They click their tongue.
"You distracted me." Accusatory. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
Total: 10
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2
They frown - just slightly - at him, feeling particularly.... seen in this moment. This is not how it's supposed to go. They work themself back into a smile, but their shitty ass miss gives the fact that they're not particularly right away.
"It's the alcohol." They decide. There's no way they suck this much at billiards.
"............. define supposed to." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
+2
TOTAL: 12
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3
Some gay ass line I forgot to write about how as they sink the last ball, their scores even out, and they open up.
3
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2
Jericho stares blankly at Lullaby, needing a moment to process all the information they are unloading upon him. Holy What The Fuck Happened At This Party?????
He's not even sure where to start. The stranger biting Lullaby seems like a good place. Based on what they're saying, it sounds like they got attacked and who knows, the person might have even had rabies.
"...Lullaby, let's sit down first and you can tell me more about what happened," Jericho says, setting aside his pool cue. He gently guides them over to the bar stools so they can sit. Just sit. No more drinking, unless it's water.
"You said you got bit?...Did they draw blood?" He asks, focusing on the issues that can be handled practically. Lullaby got bitten. Lullaby is potentially injured. Assess the injury.
He is not touching the...emotional bombs Lullaby dropped just yet.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
2
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3
3
They don't need him to take care of them. They don't want him to take care of them. Okay, maybe they 
a little want him to fuss over them.
He was right, they haven't grown up at all.
The clown jingles pathetically to the bar, and takes a seat.
"I don't think so?" They pull at the collar of their shirt, to the bite mark. "It was kind of fun, actually. Just confusing." A smile. They do enjoy a good mystery! There was just a lot of things compounding this night.
"..."
They look at Jericho, considering him. Considering what they can get away with.
"It hurts though..." It really doesn't. Comfort them. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
a little want him to fuss over them.
He was right, they haven't grown up at all.
The clown jingles pathetically to the bar, and takes a seat.
"I don't think so?" They pull at the collar of their shirt, to the bite mark. "It was kind of fun, actually. Just confusing." A smile. They do enjoy a good mystery! There was just a lot of things compounding this night.
"..."
They look at Jericho, considering him. Considering what they can get away with.
"It hurts though..." It really doesn't. Comfort them. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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2
2
1
Jericho tugs Lullaby's collar down lower to better inspect the bite mark, taking into account what information they provide about the incident. They provide no potential suspects. An intruder on the premises?
"It doesn't sound fun," he remarks, gaze flitting up to Lullaby to catch them smiling. A fool as always. If someone tried to bite him he would simply call the authorities on them. Well, at least they weren't lying about the bite not breaking skin.
"Stay here, we should still treat this. Especially so if it hurts." He steps away from Lullaby and removes his gloves to wash his hands behind the counter. "Human mouths are full of bacteria and bites from humans, like any other creature, can lead to serious infections if not properly treated. Even a mild bite that doesn't break skin should be dealt with properly. And if this is a bite from some mimosa-wielding weirdo hiding in bushes, I can't imagine they are the picture of hygiene either." He rattles off information about infection rates as he looks for a first aid kit.
After a few minutes, Jericho returns to Lullaby and places the first aid kit he's found on the bar counter. "You should be more careful," he lectures as he pulls down Lullaby's collar once more and gently wipes at the bite mark with an antiseptic towlette using his free hand.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
2
2
1
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2
It worked. They feel a tad guilty about lying, but - well, they'd already fessed up to being a liar in Never Have I Ever. Besides... didn't it balance out? One big truth for a little white lie?
They watch him as he talks, taking a rest in the familiarity of it. There's what they were looking for. The lecturing, the teaching, the surprising gentleness of Jericho's intentions versus his words. He sure is.... talking a lot though. Nervous? Filling the air for them? They didn't even have to prompt him this time.
"!" A jump at the sudden coolness, but they settle in.
"They're .... a good person, I think they were just having fun. It was funny to me too..." Lullaby murmurs, tilting their head so that Jericho can see more easily. "... people are ... unpredictable huh?" They say it with a note of wonder. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
2
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4
Jericho sighs. "Lullaby, I know you're not completely stupid. I'm being serious."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
4
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3
3
They look at him. "I'm being serious too - I ... I mean, I don't get it. This whole no-dating-coworker thing - everyone keeps saying it!"
"... are you all that scared?" @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
3
3
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4
Jericho rolls his eyes. "It's not fear. Do not imply that people's words are motivated by irrational emotions. It's well-placed concern. There is a difference. Most relationships lead to messy break ups. Do you know what messes up teamwork and a productive work environment? Bitter exes and broken hearts."
He leans back in his chair and folds his arms. "So are you really serious?"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
4
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4
4
"..........."
4
If they say yes, it's a whole ass commitment. A bond in all but writing. And they know how Jericho is with contracts. If they say no,
they look like a piece of shit.
But maybe they are one. They place their head on the bar countertop and let out a long sigh.
"....................................."
Why are they even talking about this with Jericho.
"I like them."
"Isn't that enough?" Whiny. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
4
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3
3
2
2
Jericho's thoughts are brought back to years past. I love you's whispered under the moon and fervent promises of forever. He thinks about flowers in the window and a gentle hand that once held his.
But flowers wilt. Bones decay. Something as ephemeral as affection and passion mean nothing in the world that they live in.
Jericho laughs coldly, his hand reaching up to his neck unbidden.
"No." It will never be enough.
Jericho reaches over the counter to grab a glass of water he filled earlier. "Well, for everyone's sake, I hope your partner shares your lackadaisical approach to relationships."
He slides the glass over to Lullaby. "You should drink more water. You're starting to get a glow to your face."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
3
3
2
2
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2
2
"That's my skincare routine."
2
2
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".... I don't even have a skincare routine. I'm sorry."
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"Yes, I can tell."
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KILLS KOO
ROOM OPEN
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Exported 206 message(s)
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / daiquiriville
A way’s off from the banquet table, there is a dry bar equipped with everything you need to fix yourself a drink (or beg someone more competent in the arts of mixology to do it for you)! It’s pretty spiffy, with lighting fixtures built in that are patented to glow a soft pink when it starts to get darker out. In case the shelf of drinks behind it weren’t already indicative of the bar’s purpose, someone took the time to string up paper pineapple party decorations around it. Very tasteful. In front of the bar is a lacquer pool table, in the perfect place for spectating. Just remember to wipe up when you’re done.
It's the other gender of Margaritaville - positioned across the room or somewhere else IDFK.
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". . ."
". . ."
". . ."
"How about this then, let's combine random drinks and have a taste testing session?"
> bartending mini game start?
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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He takes the drink from Cassius' hands, taking a large gulp before returning it to him.
Eyes light up, pleasantly surprised. "Not bad! You could be a bartender." (Insert obnoxious laugh.)
For his turn -- Rhett finds a handle of vodka and bottle of orange juice, pouring both in equally generous portions.
There were no red solo cups, but the round glass would have to do.
"Tastes like shit (taste: 5) but it's good for loosening the tongue (alcoholicness: 12)." He presents it to Cassius with a flourish. "A common staple in any college frat house."
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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He takes a tentative sip... it was just vodka and orange juice and well... like Rhett said, tasted like shit. Cassius grimaces but takes hearty gulps of it.
"What did you go to college for?" he inquires. He tries his hand at making another drink. He doesn't know what he's grabbing and he's not interested in reading the labels right now. A quick shake and pour over ice and he slides it over to Rhett.
Turns out, Cassius just poured a bunch of hard liquors together. It tastes worse than shit taste 1 and it burns going down alcoholicness : 15. It smells like isopropyl alcohol.
@ren | rhett
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"I take that back. This is. Pure shit." It reminds him of absinthe (not that. he's had absinthe before. shifty eyes.) But he downs the rest of the drink efficiently. Though good at holding his liquor, the random concoctions churning in his stomach may be starting to protest. Who cares! He's having fun albeit not inebriated enough!
"A triple major in business, civil engineering, and math."
A lazy grin. "Do you believe me?"
Before Cassius can answer, Rhett pours an equally disgusting mixture in return. taste: 1, alcholicness: 8
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius bursts into laughter at the comment on his drink. He's impressed that Rhett downed it anyways. Cassius needed to watch himself in comparison, having half a foot less of body to process alcohol compared to his coworker.
"I believe you. There's no reason not to," he says. He sips the new mixture and promptly spits it back into the cup, astounded by the shitty taste. The two of them were definitely not fit to be bartenders.
"Wow," is all he can say as the taste lingers on his tongue. Cassius takes a deep breath and downs it anyway. Fortunately, Rhett's drink didn't taste too alcoholic. He could probably take another without getting drunk.
He can't help but gag a bit after chugging that. "Should we try one more..?" he says wearily.
@ren | rhett
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taste: 14, alcohol: 10
Gin and dry vermouth, mixed together without the grace and skill of someone like Cameron, but still palatable. He pours out his nat 1 drink (to be fair, he would have downed as well to not waste the alcohol, if not for Cassius spitting it out) and slides the new one over.
Voice lowers, amused. "I lied, Detective Caro. Are you always this trusting or is your mind starting to fog?"
He takes a moment to observe the other's complexion and actions. "I have more confidence in the taste of this one, though I won't blame you if you don't drink it all." An innocuous warning. How drunk do you want to get tonight, Cassius?
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius sips the new drink and it's much more palatable than the ones Rhett had previously mixed. "This one is pleasant," he says, comfortably drinking it all. He's properly tipsy now but still functional. "You seem to know your way around some drinks."
"I trusted in the goodness of your heart," he says, finger poking into Rhett's chest. "But it seems you like lying." His finger travels elsewhere, hooking into the gap between the buttons of Rhett's dress shirt for a second before retreating.
He turns and mixes Rhett a drink too, but forgets the alcohol alcoholicness 1 and it's just a mix of different sickly sweet syrups taste 7. Cassius had absolutely no experience making drinks and it showed.
@ren | rhett
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"C'mon, the rest of my truth or dare team is following me," he says, running, through the banquet hall and interrupting a conversation that couldn't be happening right now.
"If we're fast we might lose them." @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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(materializes as peanut gallery) Not So Fast.
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[DEX: 16] 
♂️ sorry morris he caught up
♂️ sorry morris he caught up
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They laugh, and then stifle it, hand over their mouth. A nod. 
♂️ <- them @Luuvy 📋 Morris
♂️ <- them @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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He pounces onto the table and skips over lobsters, holding in his nausea for the food as he makes a daring exit... @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Fucking Puma of a man.
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Saif was not about to openly chase that people over a dare. They followed behind as a leisurely pace
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He does something similar to Saif with similar logic, he is after all, not wearing any pants.
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He shrugs, "I've worn less."
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♂️ He manifests back here.
"I trailed them. Morris is skimping on his dare. Decide your punishment accordingly, Ezekiel Fucking Kitzinger." @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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♂️ He manifests back here.
"I trailed them. Morris is skimping on his dare. Decide your punishment accordingly, Ezekiel Fucking Kitzinger." @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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"
If you had any of that poison drink left, I'd say that." Shrugs. "But you're Ezekiel Fucking Kitzinger, so you downed it. Guess you could always make another, though."
He thinks for a moment. "I think you're better at this stuff than I am. What would really make him regret skimping..... " MORRISSSS IM SO SORRY @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
If you had any of that poison drink left, I'd say that." Shrugs. "But you're Ezekiel Fucking Kitzinger, so you downed it. Guess you could always make another, though."
He thinks for a moment. "I think you're better at this stuff than I am. What would really make him regret skimping..... " MORRISSSS IM SO SORRY @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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"What if we took his clothes and then he had to streak!.... No... no why would he take off his clothes in the first place....." 
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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" He'd probably refuse if we asked him. When Mika took off his shirt, he said he'd never. But I like your line of thinking. Let's keep brainstorming." RUBS HIS HAMPTER BRAINCELLS TOGETHER @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
He'd probably refuse if we asked him. When Mika took off his shirt, he said he'd never. But I like your line of thinking. Let's keep brainstorming." RUBS HIS HAMPTER BRAINCELLS TOGETHER @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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Well. Saif had not prepared for that, thinking he would choose truth. "I," it was hard to think straight without glancing down, so they glanced to the side. "Dare... You.... To... Answer my earlier question. Please?"They did not like to be demanding.
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Good idea Mika....you still got that hose? Or we can look for a bucket..."
"You should do that anyways, honestly." @Nyaph 🌺 Mika @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
Good idea Mika....you still got that hose? Or we can look for a bucket..."
"You should do that anyways, honestly." @Nyaph 🌺 Mika @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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Holding and empty ice bucket.
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Perfect.
Perfect.
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He takes the bucket of ice water "Time for Morris to get a little wet"
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He takes the bucket of ice water "Time for Morris to get a little wet"
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"Hey Romanov. Your crotch is disturbing the peace. Can you put your pants on?"
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Saif could kiss Cameron. His crotch was certainly disturbing their peace.
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"Hell yeah, Ezekiel Fucking Kitzinger. Let's make it a surprise. We can wait for him when he returns. 
" @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
"Hell yeah, Ezekiel Fucking Kitzinger. Let's make it a surprise. We can wait for him when he returns. " @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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"...What's this about wetting Morris?" Her expression drops
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"I dare you to help them." He says this to Cameron as he takes his pants back from her.
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"He skimped out on his dare, and needs to be punished " @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
" @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"It's water. He won't melt. His fault for being a little bitch. 
♂️"
♂️"
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He doesn't have his belt...
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He doesn't bother buttoning them up.
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Phineas ambles over, having followed the group from the last room. He has taken Lullaby's advice and is now pantsless in Mika's stead. He stands next to Saif, content.
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"It's not about the journey, it's about the destination." @ cam. what does that mean tyler
"It's not about the journey, it's about the destination." @ cam. what does that mean tyler
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"I can get him into the closet." He's not really listening to the rest of the conversation.
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"If I hear any splash or see Morris wet, I'll punish you all."
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" 
Would a fight be too much?" He's not sure. @ mika
"Hey man, that's a bit harsh." @ patsy
Would a fight be too much?" He's not sure. @ mika
"Hey man, that's a bit harsh." @ patsy
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"I don't melt if you get me wet, but I'm also not a little bitch who runs away from my dares. ♂️"
♂️"
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This was much too convoluted for truth and dare, Saif was beginning to think.
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"....A simple shot? Like from a gun?"
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"You're the one raising objections, not me. I'm just answering ♂️ ...Let's not shoot him with a gun, though."
♂️ ...Let's not shoot him with a gun, though."
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He becomes noticeably less interested the moment the talk starts moving away from wrestling Morris into a closet.
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Shrugs. Whatever. Guess he could watch a fight too ♂️ He personally thinks thats crueler but, whatever.
♂️ He personally thinks thats crueler but, whatever.
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"You're reaaaaally against the water huh?" He shrugs his shoulders "Fine fine lets do the closet."
Slaps Mika on the back. "Go get em Tiger!"
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"Give Morris the fight he's been craving for since this party started, Romanov."
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He watches Cameron go before walking over to the bar and grabbing a bottle, takes a swig.
"Where is he."
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"Maybe an orange."
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"I'm not sure he's human."
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"Might be Quiggie's illegal anomaly."
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♂️
♂️
Exported 151 message(s)
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / dancefloor
Original message was deleted.
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Comes in and plays this on the juke box
https://youtu.be/j4asUD0Ip5c
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"It actually says 'Loue'," he corrects his fellow investigator, handing it over to her. "Please keep it safe. It's been through a lot tonight." He chuckles.
"Well, why else would I turn to the dance floor- to dance!" And to forget all our troubles 
. "So should we dance?" June offers his hand.
. "So should we dance?" June offers his hand.
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DANCING MECHANICS
Optional, by MEI & REINA <33333
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/157BJNeyEQVR_z3TX5jmVRdAs0sCUybuVW97fuSkHn70/edit#gid=0
Sheet1
!roll 4d11
PERFECT,PERFECT
,
FAIL,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
,
DANGER,DANGER
1 or 11 , CRITICAL FAILURE. You stepped on your partner's toes (or other creative disasters)
2, 6, or 10 , DANGER. Unless your partner rolls a PERFECT (4 or 8) on the same beat, this roll counts as a fail...
,
FAIL,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
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DANGER,DANGER
1 or 11 , CRITICAL FAILURE. You stepped on your partner's toes (or other creative disasters)
2, 6, or 10 , DANGER. Unless your partner rolls a PERFECT (4 or 8) on the same beat, this roll counts as a fail...
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“Right.. but..” He chuckles, grabbing the stolen throw pillow and aims it at an open chair [
️ DEX 6] it flies haphazardly across the room to ... somewhere... mm still got it, love.
Not letting his poor arm kill the mood, he was dancing with miss cam after all. Hand reaching for her other, he guides them to the beat. “I’ve been meaning to ask how you’ve been, after the anomamom case and everything...” His foot goes astray and accidentally clips hers [ 11] “AH- SORRY—“
️ DEX 6] it flies haphazardly across the room to ... somewhere... mm still got it, love.
Not letting his poor arm kill the mood, he was dancing with miss cam after all. Hand reaching for her other, he guides them to the beat. “I’ve been meaning to ask how you’ve been, after the anomamom case and everything...” His foot goes astray and accidentally clips hers [ 11] “AH- SORRY—“
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She watches the pillow get pitched somewhere in the room, chuckling emptily as she lost track of its trajectory. "And you were a basketball player right...?"
Cameron allows June to lead the dance now, following along as best as she could with his gangling legs. Boy is he tall- almost as tall as her dad...Just as she was about to answer his question, the collision of his foot on top of hers makes her internally scream, biting back a range of colourful words to instead try to muster a smile. "It's...it's nothing---"
As much as she said that, however, she was spiteful and vengeful, stepping on his foot twice discretely while he danced around [DNC 1,1]. With their size differences though, it probably felt like a little tap [STR 8].
@flan 🦋 june
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He nods, a glint of disappointment in his eyes.
It is clearly not nothing when the heel of her boots met his newly polished oxfords, twice. He expects nothing less from the fiery tigress. “Careful now, Rutherford,” He warns playfully, skirting his hand tighter around her back and pressing the two closer.
He finally adjusts to the beat and dances perfectly [8]. “You were saying?” 
8]. “You were saying?”
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? “Threats... me? You’re sorely mistaken. I don’t have a mean bone in my body. And I’m not sure what you mean by this.” He tries to act coy but has an impish grin smeared across his face.
Continuing the lead, he does a little game of subtle push and pull between their bodies [ ok 7] but doesn’t tug her along to the point of annoying her.
“Congratulations on the completion! It feels nice accomplishing something big like that, though I can’t say the emotional toll it does to you is equally as fun.” He nods. “Yes, a mysterious influx of donkeys has been reported. Very intriguing...”
“...but.. I’ve been... recovering! Holed up in the office, building a digital archive system that we can potentially transfer files to!” He smiles sheepishly... “nothing interesting..”
? “Threats... me? You’re sorely mistaken. I don’t have a mean bone in my body. And I’m not sure what you mean by this.” He tries to act coy but has an impish grin smeared across his face.
Continuing the lead, he does a little game of subtle push and pull between their bodies [ ok 7] but doesn’t tug her along to the point of annoying her.
“Congratulations on the completion! It feels nice accomplishing something big like that, though I can’t say the emotional toll it does to you is equally as fun.” He nods. “Yes, a mysterious influx of donkeys has been reported. Very intriguing...”
“...but.. I’ve been... recovering! Holed up in the office, building a digital archive system that we can potentially transfer files to!” He smiles sheepishly... “nothing interesting..”
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She allows June to move the strand of orange hair in the palpable silence, the delicate touch and gaze of an intensity she was not use to from June...but, getting swept away by passion was not her style - especially with a coworker; she had enough self control to suppress that. What mattered more was that free Stanfard-level coding class!
Finally parting ways, she watches him leave while holding onto the pillow, slowly waving her hand while she slightly bites her painted bottom lip, corners curling into a crooked smirk. Intriguing indeed. Cameron wanted to witness more from the seemingly gentle giant.
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RESERVED
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Original message was deleted.
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel Please have Luciel give a "Never have I ever...." statement !
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Lullaby is just sitting here, drinking a mimosa, looking lost as hell.
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They have a bite mark?? I FUCKING GUESS.
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Morris is there, somewhat out of breath and in a completely new outfit sure.
"Oh hey Lullaby."
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They offer him a sip of their mimosa. "Morrie. Want a drink?"
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Once again attempting to socialize… he wasn’t very good with alcohol, but this is… what people do right? Ah… it was his turn to play… essentially he would say something he’s never done before, right…?
”Never… have I ever…” I mean there’s lots of things he hasn’t done but… “broken curfew…” boring bitch is he.
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"No thanks. I have no idea where that's been."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Ernest looks a bit checked out, but he’s sitting. His collar is popped up to cover his stupid mark and he’s wearing parker’s overcoat slung over his shoulders. He looks… kinda unwell 
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His coworkers ambled closer, a distressing number of them sporting… battle scars.
He closes his eyes to shut out the blatant debauchery before him. His wine bottle is his only true companion now. Anyway, he heard something about… drinking games… and holding up fingers.
This is caiquan, right? He was good at that one.
(Narrator voice: It was not.)
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A smile, endeared by Luciel's statement, and they take a lil sippy sip for themself. "You don't trust me?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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He disguises a smile behind the sip of his pineapple juice and tries to give Mr. Huỳnh a thumbs up. Good start!
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Morris blinks loudly at Luciel. Curfew? He has so many questions.
"Who is enforcing a curfew on you?"
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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♂️ He's here . Existing. Unfortunately.
Takes an amused huff at Luciel's question--damn, he was boring, but not that boring. Finger down, bottoms up (non-alcoholic).
♂️ He's here . Existing. Unfortunately.
Takes an amused huff at Luciel's question--damn, he was boring, but not that boring. Finger down, bottoms up (non-alcoholic).
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"I absolutely do not trust you. You probably got that out of a bush."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Ernest takes a sip unflinchingly. Well. He takes a few.
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Xunyi takes a sip out of the leftover beer they took from Ernest earlier, and gives said man a concerned glance. Should Ernest..be drinking that much...? Oh well,, 
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Actually, he doesn’t really know what’s going on. He spots people around him drinking.
He is a winner. He will not drink. After a comically long delay, he realizes that he’s supposed to be putting his fingers up. All of them? Er. Anyway.
…
With his three (3) INT braincells, he pieces together what he’s supposed to be doing. Had he ever disobeyed his father? No. Not really.
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Albert quite surprisingly does not take a drink. When he was living under his parents/grandparents roofs, he was a good boy. Now? Not so much, but he makes his own rules.
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Wow, you must be really passionate about breaking curfew, he forgets to say because he is squinting at Ernie's outfit. Now where did he steal that from.
@li 📽 ernie
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Curfew. Could you break curfew if you never had one? Technically.
Rhett's drink is untouched.
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Kylik is here, still slightly buzzed, and not likely to sober up any time soon with this game. He takes a sip of his own drink, very careful to not look directly, at anyone. He's perhaps. not feeling the best.
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Jericho quietly takes a sip.
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A brilliant strategy to start the night off with something everyone's done, Kylee thinks as she takes a sip, eyeing curiously and quietly at the people whose drinks remain untouched 
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Vampires...she's dealt with those before. "You need someone to stake em, hit me up Lullaby." @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Scratch that. This isn’t a finger game. He deflates.
He wanted to play finger guessing games instead.
…
Sadly, he pulls his hands back down to his lap.
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What's the opposite of a curfew because Xiaoru likely had that.
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If Morris was eyeing Ernest with some sort of suspicious energy, Ernest was directing that doubly so to Adrian. Staring at him like a hawk. What the hell was going on in that brain of his? Don’t know. He’s drinking even though nobody’s said anything yet.
@xia :capitalism: adrian
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"Is it my turn?"
Jacob lifts his glass, a small smile playing on his lips. Feeling a bit vicious today. He wants to see where the sinners are in the crowd.
"Never have I ever hurt a person on purpose." @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Cassius doesn't take a sip because he's a liar.
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Ernest takes a sip with his eyes trained on Liu.
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She raises her brow but shrugs it off. "Not as exciting as your night has been, that's for sure." I'm not sure anything can top that... She sips, she did it today in public.
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They raise a hand! A question for the preacher! Reverend! They don't know the difference. "What if they wanted to be hurt?" @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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He has two (1) bottles now. His bottle has a friend. He wishes he had a friend.
He is drinking now. Is it because of the prompt? Results unclear.
Adrian feels eyes lock onto him from across the room. He looks up to see Ernest.
He blinks back, groggily and Heterosexually.
@li 📽 ernie
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The more Mika sees of the Reverend in his off hours the more he likes them. He takes a drink.
He smiles over the rim of his glass at Lullaby's question. Does that matter? He keeps the thought to himself.
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He takes a fucking sip. Yeah. Not much to say about this one.
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Casually takes another sip She’s done all kinds of things to terrorize other people
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Jericho takes another sip. Seriously???
He looks at Lullaby with extreme judgement. "That's still on purpose, idiot." He rolls his eyes.
Glares at Kylik when he takes a sip. Yeah He Fucking Would, Wouldn't He.
He looks at Lullaby with extreme judgement. "That's still on purpose, idiot." He rolls his eyes.
Glares at Kylik when he takes a sip. Yeah He Fucking Would, Wouldn't He.
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"Interesting question." He lowers his glass and pretends to think about it, scratching his chin. "I wonder what kind of situation would bring that about. I suppose you're innocent, if they wanted it." The sin falls on the one who wanted it, in that case.
Masochists. He's shaking his head.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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He breaks away from Ernie for a moment to look at Cass, what bs.
"But you have hurt people, haven't ya?" @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Physically? No. But emotionally? She shrugs and takes a sip.
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Xunyi snorts and takes a sip. They glance over at Adrian. He better have taken a sip too- wait. Isn't the kid..too drunk...?
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They don't take a sip. Tail wag. Innocent.
"Revvy's question, you can make me drink on your turn, Jerbear." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
Innocent.
"Revvy's question, you can make me drink on your turn, Jerbear." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"That's stupid, that makes no sense. How are you innocent--"
Of course a reverend would have crap logic.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
Of course a reverend would have crap logic.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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With the Reverend's proclamation of innocence, Tyler also kept his drink down. No sip. Watches Jericho fight over it though. One day you'll understand....
Watches Jericho fight over it though. One day you'll understand....
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All Jericho knows is War.
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Cassius is completely unaware of Morris's judgmental look.
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Saif materializes out of thin air and taks one sip of their uhhh uhhh club soda and lime.
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This question, from the reverend. Of course. He thinks about their discussion about sin.
Hurt was part of the fun. A sip, just like most others there. It's curious to watch those who either haven't touched or struggled with their drink.
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Oh god he can't take this game without alcohol. Jacob stands to mix his pineapple juice with a much stronger flavor of alcohol. Sins are accumulating... and it's only 8pm. He'll pray for forgiveness when the time comes.
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The priest is prattling on about sin and innocence, despite turning a blind eye to the atmosphere of lust and licentiousness that permeated the room.
He seemed a bit ineffectual, Adrian thought. What happened to lectures on the virtues of waiting until marriage?
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Jericho spitefully decides to make Lullaby drink. Targeted Questioning. "Never have I ever owned a pet rat." Fuck you.
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Looks at Cameron take a sip of her drink. Yeah that's right.
...... he also takes a sip, he is no saint.
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"Sin is delicious, is it not?" 
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Most everyone was taking a sip. Scary.
"Got something to confess? I'll ask the good reverend to cover his holy ears."
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They Take A Very Big Gulp, looking him dead in the eyes. "Damn.... that felt a little targeted." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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There is some weird fucking tension going on in here, but Albert doesn't have to sip to that so........
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Did the rats in your apartment you wanted to get rid of count.
......He's not taking a drink. Those bitches were no pets of his. 
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Did the rats in your apartment you wanted to get rid of count.
......He's not taking a drink. Those bitches were no pets of his.
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Jericho Looks Away. "I don't know what you mean." @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Ernest has never owned a pet rat so he just. Holds his beer can. Hovering by his mouth.
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"I'm not like you, Mr. Hamilton." Spares him a Knowing Look™️. "It's just a momentary, ah... what would you call it? Temptation?"
@ren | rhett
@ren | rhett
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Saif loves never having owned a pet rat.
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She sees that smug expression on Zeke's face but 
when he drinks too. "Yeah, drink up buddy." @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
when he drinks too. "Yeah, drink up buddy." @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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Follow Up Question: Wait, could homosexuals even get married? Was this why they frolicked in amorous bliss without regrets? Because their right to holy matrimony was sealed away behind legislative bars, leaving them to save their hypothetical chastity… Forever?
Maybe he should become… a relationship lawyer. A champion for the Gays. He nods to himself. He was not homophobic.
He was also not a rat owner.
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"Rats get sick easy y'know. That's an early death waitin' to happen"
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"You should get one. They're real snuggly." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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@Robbie ⚖ Zeke "...." 
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"I DO NOT HAVE RATS!" @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"You have rats?"
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A tilt of the head. "Then, is indulging in one's temptations not considered a sin?" @crow ✝ jacob de silva
(no sip, no rats
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Adrian sure is spending a lot of time thinking about gays, not that Morris could read minds.
No sip, not that he's been minding the rules since the game started.
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"Ok then, since you're a roach you are your own pest problem" 
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"What do you call Zhao then." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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He senses the vitriol in Jericho's tone, he briefly wonders if Lullaby has every been in a fight, he'd like to see it. He does not drink, obviously, he wasn't very good with small pets.
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"Wouldn't it be cool if a rat could cook."
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Jericho stares at Morris for a moment in shock and then calms down. Turns his head away. He's not dignifying that with a response.
@Luuvy 📋 Morris
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They made a movie about a cooking rat, he thinks. Rata….. Rato…. Rat………………..
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................ "....Yeah. That'd be pretty useful." Matter-of-fact.
Or maybe he was just a bad cook, and Desperate @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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"Does Lingy belong to Jeri....?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"Unlike you, I'm keen on repentance once the night is over." The words sound practiced, as if he's given the speech before. "I suppose that's the difference between you and I." @ren | rhett #unbothered
@ren | rhett #unbothered
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"How the hell did you get to that conclusion???" Aanddd he's provoked again. @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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"Why are you asking me? Vidali is right there."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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(“Does Lingli belong to what?” —If Ernest was more sober)
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.....He briefly wonders if Jericho has ever been in a fight. He'd like to see that too. Maybe before the night is over...
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"Morris wore three layers of wool sweaters to a beach. He doesn't have a working brain. Don't listen to him." @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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Oh. It's his turn. Rhett revels in the attention for a moment.
A regular party game, designed to freely ask overtly personal questions and offer up ambiguous trivia. The ones offered so far have been relatively tame. Time to throw in a disgustingly cheesy one.
Never have I ever fallen in love.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
(Sorry Cassius.)
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"Do you deserve forgiveness if you willingly sin on the notion you are entitled to forgiveness later? Does that not defeat the purpose of repentance, Reverend?" Saif said to Jacob without looking at them. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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They Look At Morris. Oh.
They look at Rhett.
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"That's one way to see it Rev. Commit the crime and then confess for repentance?" She thinks about it now-
At Rhett's question she grimaces "Boo!
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Muttering quietly., “Doesnt Lingli belong to… LQCC?”
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"Hubby....." @ren | rhett
@ren | rhett
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His drink
remains untouched.
Crushes? Sure. Love? .......................
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He’s starting to deflate even more, like a leaky exercise ball.
His new bottle friend is untouched. As was his… heart.
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Cassius doesn't take a sip. Looks over at Rhett. "Aw, so falling for me was a lie too?" He jokes. @ren | rhett
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Xunyi keeps their drink in their lap, amusing themselves with the reactions of their coworkers.
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Albert drinks. He rubs the back of his neck while all the commotion goes on around him. It feels like he's among a bunch of drunk high schoolers right now.
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Jesus christ what an emo question. We get it Rhett, you're a fuck boy. Jericho takes a sip.
He looks at Kylik and can't resist the urge to correct him. "Obviously they're an employee. How can you not know that."
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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no sip. Who has time for that?
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Typical. Eden gives a tremendous eyeroll and takes a sip.
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THOSE WERE SWEATERS HIS DAD KNITTED FOR HIM.
"And if you were there Lullaby you'd have seen the way Vidali had to hold Zhao back, the good handler that he is." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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Also no sip. Who’s to say it was ever really love to begin with.
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"Oh... you shouldn't hold them back. They're fun." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
They stare at their drink, unsure, but - hey - .... they take a little sippy.
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
They stare at their drink, unsure, but - hey - .... they take a little sippy.
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He purses his lips thinking about the question. He grimaces before trying to stealthily take a sip
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He takes a sip. No point in pretending now.
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"Haha gay" She points at Zeke
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Jericho is turning red in the face. "Morris. Shut up. Stop talking about me and Lingli. I'm not their handler."
He is ignoring Lullaby's suggestion. They don't know what's best for Lingli. 
@Luuvy 📋 Morris @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
@Luuvy 📋 Morris @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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She'd be a little concerned if she didn't took a sip 
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She waits for Kylee to sip and sighs of relief.
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"I'm not planning to pull this stunt again, nor do I make the assumption that He'll forgive everything I do." He waves a hand, ignoring the newest round. "You have to want it, of course — want forgiveness, want repentance, want a new life away from your mistakes.
But what's stopping me for feeling guilty about the things I do at this moment?"
"No one deserves anything." "Not even forgiveness. You have to beg for it." @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★
"Not even forgiveness. You have to beg for it." @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★
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"Wh- you're gay!" He shouts back, ha.... got em... @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"They're just ... unvaccinated."
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Ernest scrunches his eyes closed. No gay talk from Kitzinger right now please.
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"Don't worry wifey, what we have is more than love." (A wink.) @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
Points at Cassius' untouched cup. "We're both inexperienced here." @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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"I am, and what?" She rolls her eyes
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They laugh. "Cheers to that~" @ren | rhett And they fucking take a drink just for fun.
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"Well.... good... for you." Damn he has no comeback. Cameron 1 Zeke 0
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More homosexuals. They were everywhere.
No, wait. He knew this one. The word. Homosexual Females. It starts with L.
…
Lesbians. He gives himself a spiritual pat on the back for his trivia mastery.
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"I'm not planning to pull this stunt again, nor do I make the assumption that He'll forgive everything I do." He waves a hand, ignoring the newest round. "You have to want it, of course — want forgiveness, want repentance, want a new life away from your mistakes. But what's stopping me for feeling guilty about the things I do at this moment?" "No one deserves anything." "Not even forgiveness. You have to beg for it." @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★
@Rev. Jacob de Silva (@crow ✝ jacob de silva) - jump
"'Wanting repentance' is easy. But is it not a sin to act on the predilection you will gain forgiveness later, as long as you want it? One might think you have not a desire for repentance, but rather a clear conscious." Saif eyes the priest. "And is that not quite exploitative of divine compassion?"
"Not even forgiveness. You have to beg for it." @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★
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Feels the need to beam the word 'bisexual' into Adrian's head.
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He shoots a look at Adrian, then decides to immediately retract his look. He can't do this right now
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i hope that if this topic continues any longer everyone here goes to hell
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Faintly, he feels a sense of spiritual intrusion. Like a message being beamed into his brain. A Homosexual Message.
Was God trying to tell him something?
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"There's no such thing as hell. "
"
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"Don't start religious discourse at a party please."
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"Get a better sense of humour." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho SORRY JERICHO I LOVE YOU
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.... (The twinks are fighting)
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Jacob looks like this right now after not focusing on what Saif says and hearing everyone talk about hell. 
2
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They set a hand on his back, rubbing it like one would to a babe. ".... okay." @li 📽 ernie
@li 📽 ernie
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Like a heterosexual moth to a flame, his head swivels around to study Ernest one more time.
His clothes.
God. This man got around.
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"My humour is impeccable. It's Eden-approved. Your turn." god hes hoping jericho asks abt eden HELP @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"Haydrian," he will break his last name only policy just to say that pun, "You got something to say? Because you've been giving looks all night." @xia :capitalism: adrian
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To Saif he slips... a business card. :] ST. LUCIA'S CHAPEL, it loudly proclaims.
Of course, Saif already knew this address. But it wouldn't hurt to discuss a little bit about forgiveness with a coworker after-hours. @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★
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Xunyi sighs. Are they really starting religious discourse? They take a sip just because.
"Never have I ever gotten so drunk someone had to help me home." A pointed and concerned glance at mutliple people in the room,,
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He is looking directly at Jericho, is he an all bark and no bite sort of person. Mika is frankly quite invested to know at this point.
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Drink untouched. This is why he doesn't do alcohol. Wow he's winning ! (no hes just boring)
This is why he doesn't do alcohol. Wow he's winning ! (no hes just boring)
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If that person is the police. She sips
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Ernest always made it home on his own. Cause he only drank by himself, usually. He could ride his bike to and from places after drinking. He rode his bike here.
…. He wonders if he could ride his bike home.
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He turns over his shoulder to look behind him. Hayden was nowhere to be seen.
"Are you," he starts, accent thicker than usual as he blinks innocently up at Morris. "Talking. To me?"
"I have to look... somewhere.............." Unless he closes his eyes. Was that against the rules of the game? He tries it. The room goes dark. Is he passing out?
No. He just has his eyes closed.
Anyway, he's never been drunk. He's pretty sure he would know if he had.
He's pretty sure he would know if he had.
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Cassius doesn't take a sip, like a liar, but nudges Rhett. "We could change that tonight " Is it a joke or not... @ren | rhett
" Is it a joke or not... @ren | rhett
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Jacob is the designated Uber so he just sits here. He's staring very longily at his pineapple drink.
1
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He totally takes a drink. Come on, you gotta know how to party. Metaphorically winks. "Got some very responsible drinkers in here!" Not him though.
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"I don't know who Eden is. And also, I don't care. This conversation is over. "
Jericho takes another sip. What the hell...he's a good upstanding citizen...how is this happening,
He feels several gazes on him and looks around and shoots a glare. Wtf. Keep your eyes to yourselves.
"
Jericho takes another sip. What the hell...he's a good upstanding citizen...how is this happening,
He feels several gazes on him and looks around and shoots a glare. Wtf. Keep your eyes to yourselves.
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"Look both ways when you're crossing the street." Word of wisdom.
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"Eden deez nuts, bitch." haha goTTEMMMMM (JERICHO IM SO SORRY IM SO OSRR) @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"Haaah college, what a crazy time!" He says as if he hadn't had to get escorted home by a friend last year. He takes a sip
4
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@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
BOT
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Surprisingly the functional alcoholic doesn’t take a sip. She’s had to be the semi-sober one bailing her raging alcoholic of a cousin out of jail instead.
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"That's not funny, Lullaby!!!"
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(@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN) - jump
He regrets the fact that his only friend is Tyler, for a brief moment. Actually, it's not that brief.
He deflates a bit more, like a wrinkly balloon.
4
"Eden deez nuts, bitch." haha goTTEMMMMM (JERICHO IM SO SORRY IM SO OSRR) @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
@Tyler (@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN) - jump
He regrets the fact that his only friend is Tyler, for a brief moment. Actually, it's not that brief.
He deflates a bit more, like a wrinkly balloon.
4
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"It's a little funny...?" @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
"It's a little funny...?" @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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She's drunk, so she snickers quietly at Tyler's joke.
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"Huh? I said I like Ligma? Do you have a Problem with that?" @hyu 👓 albert
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He's technically shouldn't be drinking, because he doesn't actually get drunk in public. This is. an exception. Besides, he's always found his way home alone. The thought makes him feel kinda.
Kylik takes a drink. Just because.
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"What the hell is Ligma?" @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
4
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"It's not."
"And you, are a child." He says to Tyler. Little baja blast creature.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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Ponders over the semantics of Xunyi's phrase.
Someone had to help me home. Home? What was home. His home? Someone else's home? Did a church count as a home?
Drink untouched in its ambiguity but he clinks his cup with Cass. "Should we take a sip as insurance then?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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"Don't call him a child when you look between the age of 13 and 33"
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"Ligma balls " Xunyi mumbles to no one in particular. Maybe the drinks are getting to him.
" Xunyi mumbles to no one in particular. Maybe the drinks are getting to him.
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"Wha--" He literally has no response for that. @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
@JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
BOT
...was it against the rules of the game to drink even if you'd never fulfilled the terms of the prompt? His throat is feeling drier by the second.
He turns on his Selective Hearing. Suddenly, he can no longer understand English. This was true happiness.
BOT
1
Choking back laughter. "Ligma balls ❤️" @hyu 👓 albert clown to clown with xunyi. imagine them saying it at the same time pretend forest isnt slow
Smirks at Jericho. "It's okay, Updog. We can't all be winners." @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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... 
COME HERE TYLER. HE IS COMING OVER TO PINCH YOUR CHEEKS. @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
COME HERE TYLER. HE IS COMING OVER TO PINCH YOUR CHEEKS. @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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He does not drink Not because he's never been That Drunk more so because no one has ever helped him home, for a variety of reasons.
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His cheeks r very pinchable rn ♂️ u should ask him abt updog tho albert @hyu 👓 albert
♂️ u should ask him abt updog tho albert @hyu 👓 albert
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Xunyi mimes shooting Ernest with a finger gun. "Pew..." @li 📽 ernie
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Ernest squeezes Lullaby’s hand gently. @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
And then he looks over to Xunyi, pantomiming being shot in the chest and slumping back in his seat. @meow | xunyi
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She notices everyone gathering around the dance floor, she trips a little as she makes her way forward, (God she is so bad at walking in heels) a little curious as to what's going on.
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Man was it fun to make Jericho.exe stall. She sips just as a reward. She sees Doris and waves her down. "Viray! Come join~" @dee 🌼 doris @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
3
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Come here Doris 
. Learn about Ligma with the rest of the Gang
. Learn about Ligma with the rest of the Gang
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Somewhere in the background of all the wordplay Mika has one hand on his chin, thoughtful.
10
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"Dors." A smile and wave. 
BOT
5
She then spots Ernie, whose face is more than a little flushed. Oh no, how much did he drink? 
But before she can do anything she's swept away by Cameron. "Oh! Hi!" @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford @li 📽 ernie (mentions of Ernie)
But before she can do anything she's swept away by Cameron. "Oh! Hi!" @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford @li 📽 ernie (mentions of Ernie)
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2
Saif looks at the business card, gives a long, cool look to the Reverend, and considers it a threat. @crow ✝ jacob de silva Tuning back into the game, they do not take a drink.
4
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Ernest makes… This gesture 
♂️ at Doris. @dee 🌼 doris
♂️ at Doris. @dee 🌼 doris
BOT
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They squeeze Ernie's hand back! @li 📽 ernie
Eyes wandering around the room, and land on Eden. "This might be a bit, weird but, your hair's a really pretty colour...!" @turtle | eden
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She waves at Lullaby before giving Ernie a slow and confused ♀️ gesture back, brows furrowed with slight concern. She'll have to talk to him after this. @li 📽 ernie @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
♀️ gesture back, brows furrowed with slight concern. She'll have to talk to him after this. @li 📽 ernie @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
6
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8
Ernest and Lullaby were holding hands. How endearing.
(Just how many coworkers did Ernest have Intimate Relations with? This was becoming ridiculous.)
His hands are cold. He clasps them. Almost like. Someone's holding them. If he imagines...
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4
"Never have I ever lied to someone in this room." It's said just loud enough to be heard, without any particular looks being glanced any particular way.
He understands the potential paradox of this question, it's that very notion that makes it exciting. :]
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He's literally such a fucking liar. He doesn't sip.
7
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Cameron nods in agreement with Lullaby's comment. And then the never have I ever makes her laugh out loud. She sips
2
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3
Watching Adrian clasp his own hands 
Should he do someth-
......
Mika's question........................ Did it count if you were lying by omission?
.......Tyler takes a sip.
Should he do someth-
......
Mika's question........................ Did it count if you were lying by omission?
.......Tyler takes a sip.
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He lies to Jacob every day with his flirting. He takes a sip.
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He looks over to Mika as if he was a deer caught in headlights. A little too soon for this question…
He stoops down and takes a sip.
He stoops down and takes a sip.
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1
Jericho goes to look at the person who just asked the question and--why is there a James Bond villain at the party.
He stares at his glass and has to think. Really hard. Jericho.exe is loading...
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
He stares at his glass and has to think. Really hard. Jericho.exe is loading...
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
2
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Jacob isn't aware he's lying because he believes in everything he says. Why shouldn't he?
A thoughtful glance at Mr. Romanov, but his drink remains untouched.
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"I call bullshit. Romanov is breaking the rules, and I bet he has an eye under that eyepatch." @Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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"Would you like to see. :]" A finger latches under the patch, taunting. @Luuvy 📋 Morris
5
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He is deep in thought.
How many times has he even... talked to most of the people in this room? Actually, it doesn't really matter. He holds hands with his wine bottle and takes a drink, mostly because his buzz is fading, and that makes him... sad.
How many times has he even... talked to most of the people in this room? Actually, it doesn't really matter. He holds hands with his wine bottle and takes a drink, mostly because his buzz is fading, and that makes him... sad.
BOT
6
She takes a sip. Is she playing the game right? Her nerves get the best of her and she lies sometimes but she always comes out with the truth sooner or later.
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He's not one for lying anyway. But also, he's kinda forgotten the point of the game at this point.... and just, you know. Drinks to drink. Sorry if this looks suspicious to the viewers.
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"Oh." They hadn't expected a return compliment, much less such a nice one. "... thank you." 
"Eden, right? I don't think we've really gotten to... hang out hang out." @turtle | eden
Also they........... . Have they lied? Probably as a joke. They'll take a sip as insurance.
"Eden, right? I don't think we've really gotten to... hang out hang out." @turtle | eden
Also they........... . Have they lied? Probably as a joke. They'll take a sip as insurance.
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Pridefully doesn’t drink it’s not lying if you’re just exaggerating the truth!
it’s not lying if you’re just exaggerating the truth!
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"Yeah, actually, I can collect on a bet," Morris, for some reason, rolls his sleeves up. @Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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Jericho takes a quick very fast little sippy and pretends nothing happened. No one look at him.
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"Your Honour I hear a distraction. Take a sip or don't, Ginsburg" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"You just don't wanna lose those 50 credits." @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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He stands up from where he's seated and stalks over to wherever Morris is.
"Sorry Reverend. One at a time." he says without looking at the person in question before gripping Morris by the arm and dragging him away from the group. @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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Xunyi squints. They don't think they've lied. simply sits there
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"Are we...are we going to do something about that?" Jericho watches Mika drag Morris away. Holy shit is he going to get his ass kicked?
Jericho watches Mika drag Morris away. Holy shit is he going to get his ass kicked?
Lawrence is here, chilling, please don't ask how he got here, the guy who dragged him here keeps getting stolen by people. He takes a sip.
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Watches his boss take a sip. ........Not surprised, honestly.
Watches his boss take a sip. ........Not surprised, honestly.
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Oh, wait. He doesn't want that.
"No, it's alright, skip over me!" He calls after the fleeing pair as they exit. Oh god. He had -1STR. He can't fight off Mika Romanov and his huge... huge... arms!
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His boss is here! Or, well. Their boss? Was it appropriate to wave to Quigley? Probably not. Maybe he was still mad, because of the whole "wrestling-Xunyi-in-the-office-lobby" debacle. He shrinks down in his seat a little.
Or, well. Their boss? Was it appropriate to wave to Quigley? Probably not. Maybe he was still mad, because of the whole "wrestling-Xunyi-in-the-office-lobby" debacle. He shrinks down in his seat a little.
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Lawrence Averts His Eye (edit: singular). This is not his problem 
RIP Morris
@Luuvy 📋 Morris
RIP Morris
@Luuvy 📋 Morris
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He thinks about it long and hard. "Okay but clarify. What counts as a lie? Sarcasm is technically lyin'"
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"Morrie - do you need...?" They let go of Ernie's hand in a like .. half-ready-to-get-up-but-not-if-it's-fine gesture. @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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He just watches. 
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Morris doesn't react much. A particularly perceptive person might see him flinch.
He returns to the group quietly.
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Saif is surrounded by a bunch of liars and traitors.
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"....." Well. They'll put this back on track.
"Never have I ever...." They glance, gaze landing on Jericho, and then immediately shifting their view to the rest of the party. Yeah. This seems vague enough to use. "... had a piercing."
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His gaze drifts from Morris to Mika to Lullaby to Ernest...
Was this... a love quadrilateral?
Wait, there was Zeke, too. A love pentagon? Was this, too, a part of the intricacies of LGBT courting?
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Ernest takes a sip. 
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Cassius sips. It closed up though.
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He's rocking piercings right now. Takes a sip
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This feels targeted . It wasn't to him, yet it felt targeted anyways. Takes a sip. 
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This feels targeted . It wasn't to him, yet it felt targeted anyways. Takes a sip.
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"Well said as well Tyler. Whoever falls for it is the problem" @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
Her ears are visibly pierced. sips. No one needs to know anywhere else
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Mika also returns, looking satisfied. :] He takes a sip he's wearing earrings right now.
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Sticks out a tongue just varely noticeably at Lullabys question and takes a sip
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He stares down at his drink. Not for him. For this one.
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He rubs his virgin earlobes with a hand. His drink is getting lonely.
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"Hey! I'm one of the good lawyers! Scouts honor!" He says, crossing his index finger over his chest.
He laughs at Tyler. "True! True, but how can someone be so sure, eh? Well I'll take a sip juuuust in case." sips
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He looks over at Zeke’s reaction and squints as if he has any place to do so, not having his ears pierced
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"You really let me get dragged away like that. You didn't even try. I'm your ride home." @jaq 🍭 lawrenjamin
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Tyler nods at Cameron and . Solidarity. He knew he could always count on u. @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
"How conscientious of you. You must be a very honest man." Tyler Joke™️ at zeke @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
. Solidarity. He knew he could always count on u. @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
"How conscientious of you. You must be a very honest man." Tyler Joke™️ at zeke @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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Jericho scowls. "Well, it's just--your aesthetic--It's--" He huffs in annoyance and crosses his arms. @lok, fool of duncetown 
lullaby
lullaby
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Jacob looks like this at his drink right now. "I've never gotten one, just so everyone knows," he says, while taking a sip. "My throat is just dry." 
"I've never gotten one, just so everyone knows," he says, while taking a sip. "My throat is just dry."
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"Stereotyping me...?" @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"Very honest. Never told a lie in my life. Came out only spitting facts and logic." He says, honestly.
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"....." Okay maybe. Jericho stews in his defeat.. @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Lawrence's shoulders are shaking in laughter at Morris when he gets back. He takes a sip just so he can condescendingly look over it at the guy, even though his ears are decidedly not and have never been pierced.
"You're fine. What's he gonna do, eat you? Absorb you into his eye hole? Worst comes to worst, I walk." @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"Can I check just to make sure?" LEANS... LET HIM SEE YOUR EAR... @crow ✝ jacob de silva
LEANS... LET HIM SEE YOUR EAR... @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Gives @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford his best kicked puppy look. 
"I haven't drank in about twenty minutes."
"I haven't drank in about twenty minutes."
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Eden thinks for a second. Beyond a mission here and there, she guesses not really. “No, and what a crying shame that is. Maybe I’ll steal you later tonight?” she proposes, with a chuckle.
To Lullaby’s statement, she drinks but thinks they themselves would look handsome with a couple piercings here and there. @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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"Heh, looks like I'm safe for now. But follow up question, anyone can get their ears pierced. I wanna hear about the scandalous ones"
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Ernest looks away
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JACOB LOOKS.. NOT SO GOOD.. doesn't flinch when Albert leans closer. Go ahead.
His hands are twitching. He wants to button up his shirt so bad. He must be freezing. @hyu 👓 albert
doesn't flinch when Albert leans closer. Go ahead.
His hands are twitching. He wants to button up his shirt so bad. He must be freezing. @hyu 👓 albert
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Oh. People are looking at him. Was it his turn? What was the line again? He turns his English Senses back on. Regrettably.
"I...have never... engaged. In same—"
Wait, no. Maybe he needed better phrasing. More sensitive phrasing. He furrows his brow.
"I have never engaged...in...... Identical Gender Relations?"
Yes. That sounded... about right. Tyler would be proud. 
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"I never said sorry," He huffs. Sore winner. Take your forgiveness and choke on it. @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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The puppy look only makes her start snickering. "Let's get some alcohol in your system soon then Rev~" @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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From where he is sitting he's still staring Morris down. He kind of looks like he might actually eat him.
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"What's with that expression on your face, Rev?" Stares intensely at him. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
"What's with that expression on your face, Rev?" Stares intensely at him. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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"...." They don't think anyone here has exactly their gender.
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Tyler starts coughing. Oh fuck. He looks away he looks away he phases into the bg and takes a sip you arent looking at him adrian u cant see h-- @xia :capitalism: adrian
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Literally what does identical gender relations even mean. Well. Kylik takes a drink. Good enough.
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"Do you just mean.. like.. gay shit?" @xia :capitalism: adrian
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He takes a sip he gets what the kid is going for.
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"Me? I'm not a piercin' kinda guy. What would I look like with one of those...uh... elephant hoops people get in their ear?" Gauges. He means gauges. @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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??? Cassius takes a sip because he could apply to any of the vagueness of 'relations'.
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He turns to Cameron. "...Amorous... relations."
"Of the homo—" Wait. No. Polite terminology. Yes. "Like the gays, yes."
He nods approvingly at Lullaby. This was homosexual-heterosexual solidarity.
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Jericho stares at his glass. Does it count if his feelings were never returned? He does not take a sip.
"This feels like an unprofessional question," He complains.
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Her brows burrow, but she takes a small sip.
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"Annd would you like to...?" Not that Morris was offering but it sure sounded like Adrian wanted to.
@xia :capitalism: adrian
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"What kinda question is that. You tryin' to find a boyfriend or somethin'?"
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"Ginsberg, aren't you going to drink?" Lawrence takes another sip.
@Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"There is no one stopping you."
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This entire time Ernest doesn’t take a sip though 
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Oh Black Void now Everyone Else is having the talk with Adrian. You know what, their problem now 
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Was Morris involved with their boss. Homosexually.
After force-restarting his brain, Adrian blinks back at Morris. "No."
Wine loosens his tongue. "I like women."
He's a feminist.
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Was Morris involved with their boss. Homosexually.
After force-restarting his brain, Adrian blinks back at Morris. "No."
Wine loosens his tongue. "I like women."
He's a feminist.
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He notices that Ernest does Not Sip. Oh. So they didn't go all the way, then. Reassuring. The sanctity of the venue's broom closets would stay intact, for the time being. @li 📽 ernie
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"....Cool so do I" he says before taking a sip
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"Hold still, Mr. Keller."
He takes a sip before he reaches around and tries to adjust Albert's collar for him, clearing his throat as his gloved fingers run down the column of his flushed throat, setting the cloth straight before trying to find his buttons for him to do up his deskmate...
Why are there no buttons to this shirt?
Jacob still tries to close them for him, hoping it's like... magnetized... zippered... there's fucking nothing. He suddenly becomes very much aware 1) there are people looking 2) they are in a circle 3) he, a priest, basically has his hands on... on...
He lets go very quickly, wincing. "Where are the buttons? What did you do to them?" @hyu 👓 albert
Jacob still tries to close them for him, hoping it's like... magnetized... zippered... there's fucking nothing. He suddenly becomes very much aware 1) there are people looking 2) they are in a circle 3) he, a priest, basically has his hands on... on...
He lets go very quickly, wincing. "Where are the buttons? What did you do to them?" @hyu 👓 albert
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"You skipped over my turn." @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
@Morris Ginsberg (@Luuvy 📋 Morris) - jump
"Sorry my mun can't ready"
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She shakes her head. “Not weird. How smooth, Lullaby," Eden says with a grin. "I’m excited to pick your mind later down the line.” @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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or type.
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Morris, cannot see.
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Now this wasn’t even a matter of being gay or not (he’s straight) It’s about not. Not getting bitches
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"What's with the men in this office, Albert? Maybe you can teach them?" @hyu 👓 albert
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Saif takes a long drink to make up for both questions.
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"Oh yeah, if you really want people to think you're heteronormative, you should also stop thinking about men and getting--" not here at the lawrence quigley christ church.
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“Never have I ever gotten stuck in a closet,” was there such a thing as winning in a game of Never Have I ever? Well, for him at least, winning meant getting everyone else drunk so they can start spilling some saucy secrets.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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He sees you. He hears you. He stands with you. But also not really. He's preoccupied with other things for now. @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
"Oh? Thanks for trying, I guess. There's no buttons on this shirt except at the bottom, sorry to break it to ya!" He gives Jacob a big toothy grin. "It looks good on me, doesn't it?" @crow ✝ jacob de silva
But now he's... being directly addressed... "What do they need help with? Self discovery?" @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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Jericho takes another sip. Does this mean he's losing?
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He can't fathom how one could get stuck... in a closet.
He sees Ernest sip, though.
Oh... was it that kind of closet? He's heard of this metaphor. He knows this one.
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Sippy Sippy. He , glances at Lullaby for a moment, and then drinks twice for good measure.
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"...." They laugh. And take a sip, glancing over at Kylik just after he glances at them. Ships in the night.
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His eyes are somewhat magnetized. "It's form-flattering," he says instead, tearing his eyes away to basically gulp down his drink. Jacob's looking a bit flushed once he sees the bottom of the glass. "You need a better shirt. Please." @hyu 👓 albert
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His eyes are somewhat magnetized. "It's form-flattering," he says instead, tearing his eyes away to basically gulp down his drink. Jacob's looking a bit flushed once he sees the bottom of the glass. "You need a better shirt. Please." @hyu 👓 albert
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"Self discovery, pride history 101 - anything." @hyu 👓 albert
"You're the last person to be preaching heteronormativity to the choir." @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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His coworkers all seem very ... closeted. He considers sending them a symbol of support. Maybe he should get the new Mikhail Cors Pride Line Gold-Plated Watch (TM) to show his allyship. Allyhood?
Much to consider.
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Saif watched as everyone took sips, as well as themself....what was going on this night.
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"I know, it's really sad." @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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Right.
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"This shirt is perfectly fine!" He leans away from Jacob for his sake. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
"Sure thing, I'll go ahead and start a seminar after this." He's joking. Or is he? @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"There's not much in there, I'm sorry in advance..." They grin, sheepish. "... How have you been enjoying the party?" @turtle | eden Y'know what they're just gonna scoot over to her.
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Jacob puts his hands together and bows his head. This man is praying for forgiveness right now. Tonight has been too much.
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This is one Lawrence does not sip for. Technically he sleeps in a closet of his own volition, so that doesn't really count(???).
The metaphorical one is not on his mind.
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Xunyi takes a sip, and then looks at Adrian with a smirk. Watching Adrian tonight has been really funny. Maybe it was worth coming?
"Hey Adrian. Bu ke ma? Drink up." >:) @xia :capitalism: adrian
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Quigley was a brave soul. Adrian could admire that. Being open about who you were.
Wait, was that why their office was filled with... gays?
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Was he the diversity hire?
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Why does he feel psychically damaged right now.
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"I'm not closeted," he slurs. "I am. An open zhinan."
Yep. Proud to be a Straight Male.
@meow | xunyi
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Wait so it was a metaphor
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He sure is. feeling something. God, he really shouldn't have gotten drunk. This is specifically, why he chooses only to get drunk alone, at home, where no one has to look at him.
"Never have I ever...." He tips his head back and feels the alcohol burn at the back of his throat. Wipes his mouth. ".....gotten this shitfaced in front of my...coworkers before." He blinks. "..........Sorry. Not. That." He clears his throat, face flushed, and tries again.
"Never have I ever.....driven a car." There. Easy.
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"Wasn't it the physical closet? I know some people got stuck in that storage room at the office too."
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Xunyi lets out another laugh...and mentally makes a note to make sure Adrian has a ride home later
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He laughs thinking about that memory. No one will ever know it was him.
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Cassius chugs the rest of his drink so he can pretend to get up and get another one. In actuality, it's an excuse to leave and he heads towards the #lawn again to try another call.
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He asserts his heterosexuality by taking a deep sip of wine, straight from the bottle. He can drive. In fact, he will drive himself home. Thank you very much.
This will go well for everyone involved.
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Guess shes going to take a nap in the car before driving home tonight. She sips
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sips again. He loved his car what can he say
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Car... well. He also has no car. And much like the cooler kids (Ernest!) out there, he prefers to bike. His drink remains untouched, and just as well because he had no more.
He also has no car. And much like the cooler kids (Ernest!) out there, he prefers to bike. His drink remains untouched, and just as well because he had no more.
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Why was Adrian, as a man, putting his lips so passionately around the cylindrical column of a bottle of wine?
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Sip. xunyis a responsible adult who can drive responsibly 
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His car is his baby. Lawrence loves driving (he should not have been allowed to get his license). He takes a big sip.
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"Woah boss, you leave the office?" @jaq 🍭 lawrenjamin
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He also sips--Thought it's been a while since he's driven a car.
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He thinks fondly about his Bercedes Menz. Wait. No, he was not thinking about Men. That was an unfortunate homophone. Homo.. phone?
God, he was being infected.
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Jericho takes a sip and flicks his eyes over to Kylik at the sound of his voice. Wow, he's absolutely shit-faced. He studies the man with cold amusement. There's something satisfying in the sight.
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"Only when I have to," he cracks a grin. Technically, what his his car but an extension of the office. A mobile office he can do stakeouts and eat shitty takeout in.
"'sides, I'm here now, aren't I?" @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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Distantly, he wonders if he can still call in that favor with Kylik. Kylik looked... strong. Maybe he could... carry Adrian home. In his. Muscular Arms.
...
Well, his car would be faster.
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They come back shortly after with some water and taps it against Kylik's cheek. "... you okay?" @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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He is a law-abiding citizen. No drink for him. 
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He actually laughs out loud at that before downing the rest of his drink.
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Ernest looks off into the distance, the hole of the can almost missing his mouth. Then he drinks.
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She signs of relief and gives Mika a thumbs up, downing hers too.
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Jacob has a far-away look. He takes Albert’s drink and sips on it instead, seeing as his drink’s all empty. @hyu 👓 albert
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Saif watches everyone else quite closely. Does not take a drink But they are definitely noticing those who do.
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.................... 
He takes a drink. He's not a crazy person, but he does have some chaotic friends (unlqcc)
He takes a drink. He's not a crazy person, but he does have some chaotic friends (unlqcc)
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He is standing to get another drink when he sees Cameron flash him the thumbs up--he returns it in kind.
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"Sometimes - depending on the mood-- oh- one sec." (TIMESKIPS THIS BACKWARDS). "I'm going to get this guy some water." They nod in Kylik's suffering direction. [now we r caught up] @turtle | eden
---
Also they sip.
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Albert does not drink. He cannot drink even if he wanted to because Jacob has taken HIS DRINK??????????????????? "You good, Jacob?" @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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He stares at Tyler sipping his drink.
Much to unpack from tonight, it seems.
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He flinches away from the touch of cool against his cheek, startled. Time is moving, a little strangely for him currently. His eyes flick to Lullaby and then away, quickly. "...Yeah. I'm- I just-" He stands on unsteady feet. "...I. Bathroom." a swallow. "...I'm fine." He brushes them aside and woop, he's leaving.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Jericho stares in deep concern at Mika when he downs the whole drink. What the Fuck. "Being chased by the police is hardly a laughing matter." This, James Bond villain ne'er do well
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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"Do you need help..?" They don't want to find him passed out in a bathroom stall. He doesn't... look so good. @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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"Yes I would like my drink." Albert stands, and holds his hand out for Jacob. Get over here big guy. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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"Yes I would like my drink." Albert stands, and holds his hand out for Jacob. Get over here big guy. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Seeing him stand up looking for a drink she looks down at the bottle next to her and picks it up, reading the label. "Do you want some... Mack Faniels whiskey? I have boca bola too." @Nyaph 🌺 Mika
"Wow the zekemeister's a bad boy." 
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He Can Feel Adrian's Judgment @xia :capitalism: adrian
He stares at Tyler sipping his drink. Much to unpack from tonight, it seems.
@Adrian Liu (@xia :capitalism: adrian) - jump
He Can Feel Adrian's Judgment @xia :capitalism: adrian
"Unfortunately, a colleague of yours lured me here with free food." They're getting Up n Down after this, not on him. "But it's nice every once in a while."
(SLOW IGNORE ME)@JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
Lawrence does not drink, because that would be setting a bad example. No comment.
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He snorts, crossing his arms and puffing his chest to seem bigger.
"What can I say? I'm a man layers." 
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:] at Mika before raising her brow. "Are you calling yourself an onion?"
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Jericho furrows his brow when Mika has a response ready to go. This dude. Is Shady. "Why--it should be obvious why. Breaking the law and being chased by the police is a serious matter. It's not something you, as a private investigator, should be laughing about," he snaps, refusing to be intimidated by this weirdo. @Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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Ernest had the… sense that things were perhaps devolving. In some way. Things always did when it came to this office’s activities. It always turned sour. Somewhere at the halfway point. It was making him feel a little anxious and uncomfortable again. Or maybe that was just him being himself.
Well. It was his turn, though.
”Never have I ever…. Never have I ever done something I still regret.”
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Oh. It's time to drink
Sip.
Sip.
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Saif glanced at Ernest, honestly impressed at the assertion. They took of a sip of their drink.
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"..." They glance at Cam, remembering a conversation, and also don't sip.
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She looks at Lullaby and gives them a smile of acknowledgment.
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He shakes his head, gives Lullaby a little, fond shoulder pat. "....M'Fine. You. Stay." Like talking to a pet. He wobbles a little and leaves for , wherever the bathroom is.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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I don't have enough braincells to type a good reply anyways tylers brain stew is thinking about how hes not sure if he handled his brother well and he decides to take a drink for insurance (guilt). pretend this was well-written
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Ernest doesn’t seem to remember that he was supposed to not apply to his own accusation.
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"...." They stare after him for a beat. One. Two. One. Two. Okay, multiple beats, until he's several feet away and --
Yeah... you don't just let your very obviously drunk friend possibly faint in a bathroom. Bro code.
Lullaby heads out after him. @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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Nice, another question to save him from a stupid response. "Ehhhh I mean sometimes I regret gettin' chocolate instead of vanilla but I'm guessin that doesnt count" he does not sip
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“I’m afraid I’d have to kill you if you knew.”
Jacob says it lighthearted enough, but there’s no smile accompanying it. It doesn’t seem like they’re joking. @hyu 👓 albert
There’s a glance at Ernest — was he doing alright? — before they sigh. Maybe it was time to find a nice dark room for the boy to sit in and have a nap.
They sip, just a bit. This one they’re ashamed of.
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Lawrence looks approvingly at everyone not sipping (him as well).
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????????????????????????????? "I don't think you could—" Albert is too drunk to register that as sounding serious. Or he doesn't want to think that it is. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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He smiles at Jericho as he takes a drink from his new vessel. What a silly question. "We're not law enforcers." is all he says.
He sits back down right next to Jericho. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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Jacob’s hand flexes in his glove, leather tightening, but they refuse to comment. Instead they give Albert a very nice, very practised smile.
“Of course I’m joking,” he lies. “I like you. I wouldn’t do that to you.” @hyu 👓 albert
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He moseys over to the edge of the circle from God-knows-where, looking a little tipsier than before and brandishing a fresh drink.
“Hey…. What’re we playing, fellas…?”
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"Okay well I like you too?" Eyes him curiously. "Would you do that to someone you didn't like...? @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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"That's not an excuse." Jericho replies in annoyance.
He resists the urge to do a double take when the man sits down next to him. ??? You know what, just for that, he is not going to drink. As a subtle flex. He is not regretting anything right now.
"I don't recall saying the seat next to me was free," he says, his frown deepening. The man doesn't seem like the type you do pleasantries with, so he throws away any semblance of manners.
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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he also stands near patsy, definitely Not because forest just wants to play w patsy too @Gabbo 📻 Patsy
he also stands near patsy, definitely Not because forest just wants to play w patsy too @Gabbo 📻 Patsy
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"I think it is my turn?" They were just barely grasping the mechanics of this game. "Um, let's see... " Something fun. Something lighthearted. Glancing around the room, Saif said, "Never have I ever gotten drunk in front of others."
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Does not drink. ez.
Does not drink. ez.
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"I have no idea what you're saying to me right now," Albert laughs nervously. Does that mean they'd kill people or not?! Albert can usually figure out people's intentions well enough, and their meaning, but not when he's drunk... "Okay, well. Let's hope you never have to practice." @crow ✝ jacob de silva
He also takes a sip.
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Saif smiles at the Reverend ^-^. Then turning to Ezekiel, they say, "I figure I could have a bit of a laugh at everyone's expense." @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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This is the first time he’s seen many of his friends tonight. Ernie looked wasted, and was the Reverend drinking…? He sits and scoots into the circle wherever there’s a spot free.
“So if I have done that, I take a sip…?” He sips his mixed drink. He takes a second sip. It’s good.
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He leans forward a little as Jericho acknowledges him, pleased to be getting what he wants. "Good. I didn't ask."
He takes a sip
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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He's not drunk, of course. But he is drinking. ♂️ For the sake of it.
♂️ For the sake of it.
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"It's good for you, this is good for you," granted the only way he could get Lawrence to come was with the promise of free food being available. "We needed to air you out anyways, starting to get that musty closet-office smell."
@jaq 🍭 lawrenjamin
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"Keeping it simple. Never have I ever thrown a drink at someone."
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Alright, he's curious about the answers to this one. no sip though. points and laughs tyler ur so boring
Alright, he's curious about the answers to this one. no sip though. points and laughs tyler ur so boring
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"Now I wonder who here has thrown a drink..." A glance at Zeke, because that man seems to be Cameron's Number One Enemy.
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"Did you, wanna change that?" Morris asks with a sexy eye brow wiggle. @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"..." She just stares at Morris.
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No.....No one remembers his name, then, was that it? He barely stifles the urge to repeat his earlier closet experience. Though he gets the feeling it might be very satisfying to do it to this person.
"Mika Romanov." he extends his hand, a shake for new acquaintances. :] He also maintains eye contact as he takes a sip
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
He barely stifles the urge to repeat his earlier closet experience. Though he gets the feeling it might be very satisfying to do it to this person.
"Mika Romanov." he extends his hand, a shake for new acquaintances. :] He also maintains eye contact as he takes a sip
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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He thinks really hard about. Ehhhhh maybe, no. No he hasn't. "I had a drink thrown at me before."
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"What did I say about attitude, Mr. Morris? I smell perfectly fine, thank you." He says, feeling defensive for some reason.
"This guy deserves it. I'll turn the other eye since we're out of the office." Lawrence jabs his cup in Morris's direction (and does not take a sip).
@JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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Without breaking eye contact, Jericho places his glass in Mika Romanov's outstretched hand. How kind of him to offer to hold it for him.
"Have a good evening, Mika." He raises from his seat and makes to leave. Who says he's obligated to give his name back to this blatant criminal?
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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"And before anyone thinks, no. It was not me who threw a drink at Kitzinger. Like I'd waste a drink on him like that."
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:]
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"Right, I call... bullshit. You never threw a molotov while in service? Did they even haze you? If you bullshit your turn then I don't gotta answer," or something I dunno, fake rules to a game with no rules.
@JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"That doesn't count in the slightest. Do you drink a Molotov? If you did then, psh that's your problem." @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"That you really liked mine except maybe too much biting," he says without missing a beat. @jaq 🍭 lawrenjamin
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gay people are in the chat
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He supposes he deserves that given his own earlier refusal to give his name, karma, perhaps--He makes a mental note to search the Detective Files later for this one, provided they don't bump into one another again later in the night...
He gives Jericho's drink a quick sniff before draining it, unrelated to the game at hand. He's a little disappointed that Jericho didn't take the opportunity to count for Cameron's question. He chalks it up to being productive all the same.
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"You love it, Babe." Wink. @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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Sip. He's actually pretty unbothered by this, though. (me makin up lore on the spot bc i didnt think about this , )
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Sip. He's actually pretty unbothered by this, though. (me makin up lore on the spot bc i didnt think about this , )
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Okay Saif's refrigerator is running so they have to go take care of that [exit]
[exit]
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He takes another sip, but he looks down at the drink in his hand afterwards. He may need to call it quits soon. He was starting to crave violence. More than he already had been. That is.
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Please imagine Lawrence disgustedly rolling his eye (singular) and walking off to get another drink.
(EXIT TO DO WORK... 
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"Really? All of you? That's sad."
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"It's a numbers thing. Odds go up the more partners you've had." He looks at Morris. "Lonely folks need not apply."
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Feels called out by Mika
Feels called out by Mika
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No sips for the reverend. He's only had one relationship in life — God!
"Truer words have never been spoken," he chuckles, lifting a glass in Romanov's direction. "I can only pray for all of us to be in happier, fulfilling relationships in time."
"Truer words have never been spoken," he chuckles, lifting a glass in Romanov's direction. "I can only pray for all of us to be in happier, fulfilling relationships in time."
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"It's lonely people who have the need to have multiple partners," Morris frowns for Mika. @Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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he feels called out again
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he feels called out again
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She looks at Morris like 
but she keeps her mouth closed.
but she keeps her mouth closed.
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He chuckles over the rim of his bottle. He shrugs but doesn't deny it.
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so youre the fbi agent in my brain. is it because i drank your coffee
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Tyler?? Loving this mental connection.
@Morris Ginsberg (@Luuvy 📋 Morris) - jump
so youre the fbi agent in my brain. is it because i drank your coffee
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comes in with a plate full of lobster and a mouthful.
"Fheeeeeyy vash ghoin awn GHERE??" He sits himself in the circle
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Tyler swirls his drink. "So we know we've all been messed around with now, but never have I ever cheated on someone." 
It's more of a bonding experience than an attempt to get people to drink, really.
It's more of a bonding experience than an attempt to get people to drink, really.
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wtf was in that coffee....do i have a mental connection with lingli now too?
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Yes you dick.
@Morris Ginsberg (@Luuvy 📋 Morris) - jump
wtf was in that coffee....do i have a mental connection with lingli now too?
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For once he doesn't drink. "Never Have I Ever" He repeats to the entering Patrick.
"Though we're winding down."
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She is a good partner. No sip.
She is a good partner. No sip.
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big swallow, "hey thats fun!"
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"why wind down? The party's just getting started!" Me im party
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No drink! And he waves old Morningstar into the circle with a smile, raising his glass with a little grin.
"Good evening, Mr. Morgenstern." Eyeing the plate. Eyeing the little dip. "May I have... some... ?" 
BOT
He's actually a little pleased no one is drinking. Tyler's not the type to get too bothered by this stuff regardless (one of his (non lqcc) friends was a bit of a floozy after all ), but it was good to know this group had good boundaries. Or at least had the decency to lie about it.
), but it was good to know this group had good boundaries. Or at least had the decency to lie about it.
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he hands over the plate to Jacob "knock yerself out rev! So what's the spicy answers been so far?"
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Morris looks at Zeke upon Cameron's bold claim.
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He grimaces at the question. "Well no but- ehhh, had an "ex" who thought we were dating when were just y'know hangin' out."
"Went to go see someone else. She did not care for that. Annnnd that's how I got a drink thrown at my face. It all comes full circle"
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Like clockwork.
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"Doesn't count. No drink." He's feeling generous. He's going to believe Zeke He's seen stuff like that happen anyways LOL
He's seen stuff like that happen anyways LOL
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Boy oh boy lobster! And when he sees Patsy looking... shuffles a little closer to their buddy to set it down inconspicuously between them. Then they dip some lobster and pop that meat in their mouth. Delicious. May god bless the generous.
"You can hear the spicy answers for yourself should you hear Mr. Ginsberg talk," he says around a mouthful of seafood, gesturing towards the ring. "The party's been growing bolder with each passing drink."
Then they dip some lobster and pop that meat in their mouth. Delicious. May god bless the generous.
"You can hear the spicy answers for yourself should you hear Mr. Ginsberg talk," he says around a mouthful of seafood, gesturing towards the ring. "The party's been growing bolder with each passing drink."
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MORRIS LAUGHS.
"And why not? Because he's cute?" @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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clicks tongue "You think I'm cute?"
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"Oh yeah Rev I am Listening alright" 
he settles on listening to the sweet gossip
he settles on listening to the sweet gossip
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Mika stifles a snort at Tyler's rebuttal.
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"Adorable," pinches his cheek.
"Jealousy is an ugly color on you," Tyler.
@Robbie ⚖ Zeke , @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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He looks around the circle and realizes it's already his turn to ask a question. Patsy flounders momentarily, opening his mouth only to close it.
"Never have I ever... kissed a coworker." Oop. This one might make waves.
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Pat looks directly at Patsy "we could change that yaknow"
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"Says the one in monochrome..." He mutters in Morris' general direction.
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He thinks. Then he takes a sip. He never specified their current coworkers.
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"My mun is allergic to color. Go blend into a grandma's couch or something," I LOVE YOU MIKA AAAAA
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"If one person feels more than the other before an established relationship and gets hurt, that's their own fault."
She's wanted to but she hasn't in any career yet. No sip.
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"Aw well shucks Morry" he says, pretending to be bashful. His eyebrows raise at the question before he takes a sip
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i can change that cameron cmere
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"wait I don't got a drink to sip on, shit wait lemme just" scrambles
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"I don't kiss coworkers or children, you put that smirk back where you found it." @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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"Don't boo me, why are you booing me."
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"You wannna kiss me so bad it makes you look stupid hhhh, you can't have any of this." @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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"♂️ Being stupid is my only endearing character trait. C'mon, aren't you endeared." He doesn't actually care he just likes bantering w morris HELP @Luuvy 📋 Morris
♂️ Being stupid is my only endearing character trait. C'mon, aren't you endeared." He doesn't actually care he just likes bantering w morris HELP @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"You got more endearing qualities than that Tyler~"
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"I was about to say that it might work on Rutherford."
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"Stupid people are cute. That's why I'm still friends with you Morris."
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"And I'll never grow a braincell if that means we'll be friends forever," he bats his eyelashes at her. @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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Pat scrambles a little cup with a drink and winks at Patsy "maybe next time then!" He looks at the others inserting himself into the game
"OK MY turn. Never Have I ever... slept with anyone in this room" he looks pensive for a moment before looking normal again.
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Morris takes a sip.
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"WHOOOOA! Mr. Casanova over here!" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
@Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"OH SHIT!! OH SHIT!!!!! SOMEONES GOT SOME ACTION HERE!!" Starts slapping Morris' back
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STARES DIRECTLY AT MORRIS. fbi psychic brainwaves what happened to no kissing coworkers you liar @Luuvy 📋 Morris
@Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"Friends forever....PFTTT---" She laughs at Morris. "You're such a [redacted] ahahah"
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"Who was it? Was it Lullaby? I'm puttin' money on lullaby. "
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Thinks for a moment. "Or Mika." SORRY MIKA
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Thinks for a moment. "Or Mika." SORRY MIKA
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"Morris... How do you sleep with a coworker and not kiss them...?" He looks genuinely confused.
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"My parents did it for 13 years"
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"Are you reading this as sleeping in the same bed or full on romp?"
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He's fallen asleep near McKinley. Being desk-mates made it inevitable. He assumes that's not what Patrick meant though. He doesn't take a drink.
He looks directly at Tyler when his name is cast into the ring of potential Morris-flings.
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Like clockwork, he figured they'd all be scrambling like ants if he took a sip. Though he's a little offended that they'd all be so willing to believe him. Just what did they think of him? Has he not been spouting on and on about how he wouldn't ruin the sanctity of a professional relationship.
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He thinks for a moment before turning to Morris, "Well. Should we tell them." @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"'Cause if it's just sleeping" she sips
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"Your secret's safe with us."
"Your secret's safe with us."
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She just smiles.
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"Wow... leave a man in suspense huh? Stone cold Rutherford. Stone. Cold."
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He pauses.... "oh wait"
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He is thinking.
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He doesn't actually care about his coworkers' business in the slightest; he just enjoys the back and forth.
Although.... "Hey, Zeke, you didn't drink. What happened with Ernest?" @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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Takes a sip and puts his glass down. "Well that was fun!"
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"Nope," he grabs Zeke by the collar, "Not until I get my second turn."
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The number of persons present had whittled down significantly, it seemed like a good as time as ever time to ask, "Never have I ever taken a life with my own hands."
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"..." She downs the rest of her drink.
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"Out me what are you- Ohhhhhh you mean the closet? Well-"
Is interrupted by Morris grabbing his collar. "WHOA! WHOA! You tryin' to to play 7 minutes in heaven with my Morris?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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"Damn Mickey, that's pretty big for a Never Have I Ever game"
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"Mika is fine."
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"I like Mickey"
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"I don't." :]
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"man what's with yall serious buds and not liking nicknames" 
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Jacob inspects Mika’s hands, big as they are, and imagine they’d look natural wrapped around someone’s throat.
Then Jacob looks at their own, and sees something else that makes him frown thoughtfully. Luckily, the wording is with my own hands.
Usually, they give other people the gun. So the drink remains untouched.
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He's glad he got the lying question out of the way earlier.
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Morris stares at the eye patch and thinks his prompt might have turned out differently should circumstances have been in his favor.
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"....What about Mimi?" He just kind of blurts it out. Maybe the liquor is getting to him.
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Chuckles at 'Mimi'
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if they didn't hear his conversation with Lullaby on the walkie talkies that's fine too. He's glad his question went over well.
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"Ok, before anyone dies, I'll be going-"
"Never have I ever been attracted to anyone at the company."
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“As you should be,” Jacob muses. “Dating coworkers can get messy.”
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"Alright fine godzilla no nicknames for you... for now" 
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"Now who's cheating." He mutters, still smiling.
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"Thank you~" She swirls mumbling more to herself than out loud. "There's a surprisingly fine thread between life and death..."
"Wow, never say window shopped again."
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Uh-oh.... Patsy takes a very quick sip. So quick that he actually spills a little on his turtleneck. He prays no one noticed.
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"Peruse the produce section?"
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Jacob notices. He catches Patsy’s eyes, then puts a finger to his lips while smiling. Shh.
“I’m sworn to only love prayer, I’m afraid.” He tears his gaze from Mr. Kaminsky to look at the other, raising a brow. “Are you drinking or not?”
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"Yes." @shelfy 🍀 Patrick
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"Yeah, but answer anyways." @Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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"I would like to clarify, I think yall look GREAT tonight" he downs a cup
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He tries to sink into the floor when Jacob, of all people, looks at him. This strategy is not particularly effective.
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He's about to leave his drink untouched until he pauses. Then sips.
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.............Alright fine solidarity sip. On a technicality
On a technicality
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"Sorry for being heathens, Reverend." it's unclear if he's referring to Jacob or Morris
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“I forgive you.” It might not be aimed at him anyway, but he’s flexing the power of the church God bestowed upon him. He looks utterly beatific right now.
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"
Wow. I feel like a new man. Amen."
Wow. I feel like a new man. Amen."
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nobody tell jacob that tyler is jewish
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"I don't, go to hell."
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Don’t worry about it sinning is a habit shared by all.
“I’ll see you there with me, Mr. Ginsberg.”
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"Who d'ya think invited you." @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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He spreads his hands, a bit mocking. Alcohol can do crazy things to a priest. “Should I kiss your feet for allowing me to walk the same path you do?” @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"You offering?" Morris looks excited at the prospect. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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“Why don’t you come over here and see?” Jacob looks like he’s just about ready to break this glass over the man’s head. @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"this is a fight I wanna see" 
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"Why don't you suck my dick." @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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"Can't we all get along? Or at least for the rest of tonight?" Looking at Jacob and Morris
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he gets distracted by Jacob and Morris' interaction. He's frankly offended at how easily they goaded one another to this point. What has he been doing all night.
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Hmm. There’s a million and one things going through his head. This is a rented venue, he has a glass in his hand, he really needs to see Morris ground up against some rocks…
Pleasantly, he smiles. It’s a bit empty, and all teeth. “Would you like to discuss some things outside, Mr. Ginsberg?” No promises on your safety if we do.
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"aaaaand on the right corner we have Reverend Jacob de Silva, local priest of LQCC and father of many! Us I mean.
Aaaaaaand on your left we have Morris Ginsberg! Heartthrob of the community? And resident mister cool guy! Who will win the LAWRENCE QUIGLEY WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP, find out here" downs another cup
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How drunk is drunk? Drunk enough to cry about being unwanted and call an 'ex'?
"Hmmm... drunk enough to feel insane but still manage to get home alone?" It was a weirdly specific level of drunk. @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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He gets up to use the bathroom n doesn't come back
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@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Morris never intended on fighting Jacob, just air them out (and maybe lock them outside and if he got lost forever that be on them), but when he comes back it seems like the dance floor has cleared and most everyone has left.
He never felt comfortable attending these formals, even in his youth, so naturally he wants to leave. The only thing that was preventing that from happening was sitting across from him.
“It’s connect-four, pretty straight forward really,” the picture on the box was very telling. He spills the contents out on the floor and doesn’t bother to organize them. The legs are set up and sets the cheap plastic thing between them.
“Winner sets a prompt for an honest round of ‘Never Have I ever.’”
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Player to move: jaq#4838
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"..."
"Son of a bitch."
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Lawrence grins. "You're right. Pretty straightforward." Damn. Morris is so bad at this.
"Ahem.... Never have I ever.... been an employee at Lawrence Quigley Consulting Company." Drink Morris, drink until you Drop. @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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His brow twitches.
"Aren't you the boss."
"I'm your ride tonight," he reminds for the third time, and takes the daintiest little sip of a wine cooler.
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"Yeah, so not an employee," technically.
Lawrence shoves the drinks he collected over to Morris's side, because it looks like he'll be needing them more. "Well just don't lose then."
He shakes out the connect 4 board(??? is it a board. Idk..) into the pile of chips between them.
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"I just walk around and they get handed to me. I'm the boss."
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Player to move: jaq#4838
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Loud blinking.
"I don't know what I was doing there."
He turns a little red.
"Stop!"
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"Never have I ever lost so badly at connect 4." DRINK MORRIS DRINK
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"You never played!" ... ˢᶦᵖ
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Player to move: jaq#4838
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"..."
"Just fire me."
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Player to move: jaq#4838
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( )
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"Despite what our games of connect-4 have displayed, I can recognize patterns."
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"Don't worry, at least you connected four..." WHEEZE, "Losses 
"
(He laughs at his own joke. Cue Laughtrack.)
"That sip doesn't count. Never have I ever driven a motorcycle." Die Morris
"
(He laughs at his own joke. Cue Laughtrack.)
"That sip doesn't count. Never have I ever driven a motorcycle." Die Morris
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Player to move: Luuvy#6707
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It doesn't really hit him at first and he looks at Lawrence to reaffirm his victory.
"HA," one loud goading bark of triumph.
"NeverhaveIeversleptinmycar," he says impulsively quick, forgetting his initial strategy in favor of sweet payback.
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Player to move: Luuvy#6707
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Player to move: Luuvy#6707
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He is liking this turn of events. Who knew a children's board game could be so riveting.
"Never have I ever regretted working with LQCC," and it was hard to make that claim within the first month but--
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Player to move: Luuvy#6707
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He was flattered that Lawrence would go through the effort, but he doesn't reply to what he said earlier about delivering regrets. He only smiles in return.
Back to trying his patience, as he takes a page in saying more by what he doesn't say.
"Never have I ever been in a foursome."
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Lawrence expects more snark, but it doesn't come. Just this Weird Ass Question.
"What happened to 'workplace appropriate', Ginsberg?" He looks at his drink like he's thinking about it (which he is), but doesn't end up taking a sip. "Implying you've been in a threesome."
...
"Not so good at connecting four in real life, huh?"
......
Lawrence does not laugh at his own joke. He sets up the connect 4 board again for their Final Match,
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Player to move: jaq#4838
"Heh. Nice try." Lawrence: 5, Morris: 4. A little too close for his comfort, but a win is a win.
"Last one. Never have I ever...." Hmm... he takes a long time to think of one. "Never have I been fired from a job." @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"There's a first for everything." Lawrence also takes a sip, clinking their plastic cups together.
"Since you lost, you're cleaning these chips up."
[ LAWRENCE EXITS, A LITTLE BUZZED ]
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"What's that supposed to mean."
"Wait, Lawrence!"
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After the game of Never have I ever, Zeke was full of alcohol and ready to mingle! He gets up tossing his glass to the side ready to bust a move on the dance floor.
However, just as he was about to show off his moves, the energetic club music simmers off before coming back with a slow rhythmic melody.
Aw shit, a slow dance.
Well... Zeke was no coward. He'd get some dancing in even if it was in a pair. Time to put those pair dancing lessons his mom forced him to take for his Bar mitzvah to good use.
Zeke scans the area looking for someone to ask.
Open rp! Just tag me if you want your oc to be the victim
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https://youtu.be/lp-EO5I60KA
The song playing))
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Perhaps it was the years she'd spent inside bars, or kindness on her part, but it seemed like Étoile didn't mind, let alone notice the smell. On the contrary... it felt homey, but people wouldn't be able to tell by simply looking at her as she induldged Zeke's drunken shenanigans.
Instead she found it adorable, and chuckled oh so sweetly, as if not a single drop of alcohol had ever touched her tongue.
"It seems like it! I'm glad I've met you again tonight," she chuckled some more, "it seems you've enjoyed yourself so far!"
Étoile gently put her hand in his, and giggled at the tease. "I could never stay away from a cute kitty~ ️ ️ " and let him lead the dance - although she had a feeling of how the dance might go.
As the song kept playing, the songstress lightly started to hum with the song - it was a very lovely piece of music, after all.
️ ️ " and let him lead the dance - although she had a feeling of how the dance might go.
As the song kept playing, the songstress lightly started to hum with the song - it was a very lovely piece of music, after all.
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Étoile appreciated the flirt, and giggled in response. "You're quite smooth, aren't you? ️ " she nodded her head to the side as she answered, her hoops dangling strikingly in harmony with her light and wavy bang pieces.
"Thank you for the compliment! I am actually the main songstress of that jazz bar, yes. I've been doing it for quite a while now, so it'd be shocking if my voice wasn't nice," a genuine laugh escaped her lips, although it was also because she was enjoying herself quite a lot with this dance. It was nice so far!
"Have you visited us before? I usually recognize most of our guests, but I'm not quite sure about you... or did you take a good guess?" she raised a brow with her smile still light and bright. It was a tease, although rather harmless.
Throughout the dance, her partner might notice that she's actually quite skilled in it, despite the alcohol she's consumed. It felt like she was doing it so naturally and automatically - something her dance partner could rely on for guidance if they wanted (or needed) to.
️ " she nodded her head to the side as she answered, her hoops dangling strikingly in harmony with her light and wavy bang pieces.
"Thank you for the compliment! I am actually the main songstress of that jazz bar, yes. I've been doing it for quite a while now, so it'd be shocking if my voice wasn't nice," a genuine laugh escaped her lips, although it was also because she was enjoying herself quite a lot with this dance. It was nice so far!
"Have you visited us before? I usually recognize most of our guests, but I'm not quite sure about you... or did you take a good guess?" she raised a brow with her smile still light and bright. It was a tease, although rather harmless.
Throughout the dance, her partner might notice that she's actually quite skilled in it, despite the alcohol she's consumed. It felt like she was doing it so naturally and automatically - something her dance partner could rely on for guidance if they wanted (or needed) to.
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With the dance and its pace, Étoile's dress was flowing gently like a flower, but seemingly bulletproof around difficult areas... you will never see her outfits betray her. Ever.
"Ah! So that might be it ️ ✨ I'm usually pretty good at recognizing guests, even after only one or two visits, hehe~"she got a little shy, her rosy cheeks getting redder.
"But kitty kitty.... why did you never tell me! We've been at the same office for quite some time now!" sh
️ ✨ I'm usually pretty good at recognizing guests, even after only one or two visits, hehe~"she got a little shy, her rosy cheeks getting redder.
"But kitty kitty.... why did you never tell me! We've been at the same office for quite some time now!" sh
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she seemed a little sad... although it was certainly more in a playful way than it was genuine. "At least I'm aware now! Next time you visit, I hope you'll approach me! I'd love to chat some more with you, after all ... and the drinks will be on the house, by the way " her eyes were glistening in the light, batting her eyelashes. Ah, the puppy eyes.
Étoile was surprised when Zeke decided to bring a little more variety into the dance... but this man certainly had a little too much gusto in this attempt of a twirl--- it was a supertwirl.
However, it'd be a shame if Étoile, who'd danced for so long, although for fun, to let it stop her performance from shining. Instead, she took advantage of the hurricane she was turned into, twirling a little more to fade it it - and her dress was violently flowing and flowing, like a flower blooming into its' most beautiful shape. It was, however, moving a little too starkly, and thus a few viewers may have been blessed with a little more thigh and cleavage than before.
As she faded out of the twirl, Étoile held up one side of her dress and bowed down in a gentlemanly manner, as if she was a knight asking a princess for a dance.
"Would you like to keep going, kitty?" her voice was smooth, and the sweetness did not sabotage the elegance and maturity it displayed.
Who knew that a princess could be a knight?
... and the drinks will be on the house, by the way " her eyes were glistening in the light, batting her eyelashes. Ah, the puppy eyes.
Étoile was surprised when Zeke decided to bring a little more variety into the dance... but this man certainly had a little too much gusto in this attempt of a twirl--- it was a supertwirl.
However, it'd be a shame if Étoile, who'd danced for so long, although for fun, to let it stop her performance from shining. Instead, she took advantage of the hurricane she was turned into, twirling a little more to fade it it - and her dress was violently flowing and flowing, like a flower blooming into its' most beautiful shape. It was, however, moving a little too starkly, and thus a few viewers may have been blessed with a little more thigh and cleavage than before.
As she faded out of the twirl, Étoile held up one side of her dress and bowed down in a gentlemanly manner, as if she was a knight asking a princess for a dance.
"Would you like to keep going, kitty?" her voice was smooth, and the sweetness did not sabotage the elegance and maturity it displayed.
Who knew that a princess could be a knight?
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The second after he done it he knew he out too much force into the spin. He was ready to give excuses mixed with apologies, though he bites his tongue. She adapted to it surprisingly well, as if she knew what was going to happen and rolled with it.
It was elegant and zeke had to admit, he was impressed.
At the very least, despite the fail she seemed like she was having a good time. So with that, he couldn't help but follow suit.
"What? You wanna lead this time?" He takes her hand and goes into position yet again.
"When I see you perform all be sure to see ya after personally, bouquet of roses in hand."
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"Why not!" her voice was incredibly enthusiastic, as if nothing had happened. Gently but confidently, Étoile started to lead the dance, putting her hand on Zeke's waist instead. It might look a little awkward due to the height different between the two of them, but that made it even more enjoyable for Étoile herself.
She did not, however, mention the kitty's mishap. Not even once - even though a word of encouragement or reassurance would surely help anyone feel relieved after a harmless but wild mistake like this.
"Please do! A bouquet for a few signature drinks of our bar... a lovely exchange," she giggled, only to then have a 
moment. "Oh, maybe we should put a rose inspired drink on the menu," she mumbled to herself. The bartender in her never left Étoile. @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
moment. "Oh, maybe we should put a rose inspired drink on the menu," she mumbled to herself. The bartender in her never left Étoile. @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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He meant it as a joke but she took it so literally it threw him off. Oh well, he'd play along. Who was he to refuse such a beautiful woman. He places a hand on her shoulder, almost amused by how much smaller she. Was than him.
He snickers, "Not a bad idea. Hows about a rosé sangria. But instead of the mint leaves on top ya put rose petals."
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Étoile woke up again from her ongoing train of thought about a new drink, and immediately said "oh, great idea! I will suggest that to the master bartender, I'm sure they'll like to try and give out a new drink once in a while~" she chuckled.
"Would you want to be the first to try it? I can try to prepare it the next time I come in the office! I've had some experience, after all " do not perceive the reality that Étoile seems like she'd genuinely get alcohol into the office, let alone drink it. But it might really be real. Who knows, (hopefully not the law. lawrence.)
Although their height difference may have posed difficult, it didn't seem like that was actually the case-- at least for etoile. It felt like it wasn't the first time she was in the lead position with a taller person... although that's not difficult, given her height in general. Now she attempted to make Ezekiel twirl, and did so more skillfully than he did before. It just seemed like the height difference truly made it a little rocky, but overall, it was a good attempt, given the circumstances! @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
" do not perceive the reality that Étoile seems like she'd genuinely get alcohol into the office, let alone drink it. But it might really be real. Who knows, (hopefully not the law. lawrence.)
Although their height difference may have posed difficult, it didn't seem like that was actually the case-- at least for etoile. It felt like it wasn't the first time she was in the lead position with a taller person... although that's not difficult, given her height in general. Now she attempted to make Ezekiel twirl, and did so more skillfully than he did before. It just seemed like the height difference truly made it a little rocky, but overall, it was a good attempt, given the circumstances! @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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"I would be honored to be the first to try your drink Ellie." Drinking on the job? Didn't sound out of the ordinary to him. Not that he made it a mission to show up hammered to work. But well, lawyers worked on different rules. It was common at his old company to day drink into oblivion, hell they even had a bar at the firm.
Etolie twirls him and Zeke makes a conscious effort to bend his knees to meet her half way. He turns back around with a flourish.
"You're quite skilled at this. Don't tell me you also moonlight as a dancer in your off time." 
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"Then that's a promise!" and I can guarantee you, Étoile will remember his words and will create this drink. Even if it was just for her cute kitty, now. And if he refused..... well, she'll just pull out the puppy eyes again. And if that doesn't work, then she'll just have to drink it herself ♀️
"Haha!" finally, a hearty laugh, "I don't~ I just picked it up from all the years I have on my back in the nightlife industry ️ ️ " which was a fair thing to say from a 29 year old lady, although one may think that she's calling herself old right now.
"But I'm still young, so there's lots more to learn... who knows where my life will go!"
"Speaking of which, ezzie, you're dancing pretty well too! How did you come to learn it?" @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
♀️
"Haha!" finally, a hearty laugh, "I don't~ I just picked it up from all the years I have on my back in the nightlife industry ️ ️ " which was a fair thing to say from a 29 year old lady, although one may think that she's calling herself old right now.
"But I'm still young, so there's lots more to learn... who knows where my life will go!"
"Speaking of which, ezzie, you're dancing pretty well too! How did you come to learn it?" @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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"Indeed!" her head nodded in agreement.
"Eh, so the classes came in handy eventually, hm?" Étoile tilted her head with a grin that showed a hint of cheekiness, but definitely not meant to look down on the experience. Instead, she'd realized Zeke's reaction when telling the story of how he learned to dance... she saw that he might not have been too fond of it. But either way, she will continue to dance it away with him like they've already been doing.
"It will always be a nice thing to know! To dance, I mean... but you're quite a charmer, I see," a sweet moment of laughter escaped her lips. "How many people have you danced with, today? You seemed to be warming up quite a bit~ "
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"So honest! I'm glad we feel the same way," she giggled, even more so when witnessing his reaction to avoiding further dance.... accidents. "yes, that's not a good idea! I'm not sure if your insurance could handle it~" she joked a little more.
She gave him a little bow, the free hand on her chest. Ètoile appreciated this experience a lot.
"It was really fun to dance with you, kitty~ We should do that more often! There's a few places near our jazzbar that are fit for a little dancing ️ " and with that, she gently pulled away her hand.... perhaps to get another drink.
️ " and with that, she gently pulled away her hand.... perhaps to get another drink.
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https://youtu.be/DYwQy_9JPtQ
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Doris turns toward the familiar voice that calls out to her. Oh! It’s Zeke!
“Yes,” she chuckles, “It nice seeing everyone enjoy themselves.”
She tilts her head as she looks up at Zeke. He looked quite nice dressed up, she likes splash of colour with the socks.
“You… you were on the floor earlier, right? You have some nice moves,” she smiles politely.
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He grins, the laugh lines at the ends of his cheeks on full display. "Heh, yeah well I'm a lil' rusty. But I still got it."
"...Well are you enjoyin' yourself?"
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“I think you did pretty fine job if you called that rusty,” she laughs, eyes bright.
“I am,” she nods firmly. “And yourself?”
Then it occurs to her that maybe…. Maybe he’s here to ask her to dance. Oh. Her face grows a little warm at the thought.
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Doris's hunch was in fact, correct. Zeke puts out his hand wiggling his eyebrows before going- "I am. But I'd enjoy it even more if ya gave me this dance."
He waits a beat.
"Come ooooon. You look too pretty to be standin' by yourself in the corner."
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Oh gosh. Her face grows even warmer. She’s not the best at dancing, her feet were clumsy, especially in these heels. She wants to say no, embarrassed and nervous. But she still was keeping Cameron’s words close to her heart.
The buzz from her earlier drinks had mostly faded by now but… she as willing to try and dance with someone she didn’t know very well.
“Y-you have a way with words,” Doris says with a short laugh, “but… okay. I guess you’re too handsome to dance alone.”
“L-Let’s see if you’re really as rusty as you say you are.” She holds out her hand for Zeke to take.
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"Now that's the spirit!" He beams before he grabs her hand and guides her over to the dance floor. He places a hand on her waist before starting the foot work.
"Guess I gotta really be on my A-game to prove it to ya, huh?" He jokes. He takes it easy, going at a certain pace for Doris to keep up.
"Man... I love this song." He says, planning to keep up conversation while they danced. He cleared his throat.
"You're just too good to be truuuue" He sings along, it's dramatic and exaggerated but honestly his voice didn't sound too bad.
"Can't take my eyes off of youuuuu" It's as if he's trying to serenade her with his singing. Though really, it seems like he's just trying to get a laugh out of her than anything else.
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"Well that we can relate on, eh?"
He snickers, a glimmer in his eye. "Yeah I can show ya a thing or too." He listens intently to the music, paying attention to the way the beat started picking up.
He leans in closer. "It's about to really pick up are ya ready?"
The beat drops and Zeke sings along with it, "I love you BABY!"
His foot work goes faster, he does already for a bit, however he finds himself stepping on Doris's foot. The foot work throws him off so much that he stumbles, maybe liquid courage wasn't all that it was cracked to be. "Aw shit, may bad-"
Dammit he was suppose to be impressing her!
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Upon the events of Truth or Dare Zeke managed to sober up just a bit. Through not enough to entirely kill the buzz. Mika went off to kill Morris and Zeke found himself with free time on his hands. He thought what better way to kill time than to do it on the dance floor.
When he got there however, he noticed that someone else had the same idea. Just one person. He tilted his head to get a better look only to realize it was in fact, Cameron, dancing by herself on the floor.
She seemed preoccupied swaying to the melody, lost in her own little world. He watched for a bit before decided to pester her. He slowly walks behind her watching his steps carefully as to not alert her. Zeke stand behind her before leaning his body so that his his lips hovered over her ear.
"Boo" "He whispered.
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Now playing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua2k52n_Bvw
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Cameron gives a coy shrug at his question, chuckling lightly to herself more than Zeke. You don't refine instincts like hers by lounging around at home.
"Loner?" her smirk widens at his snarky retort, looking up at him with a playful warmth. "So shy. If you want to ask me to dance, you can beg. Let me hear you say please~."
"Or," she slinks backwards, leading him deeper inside the dancefloor away from the muted chatter from outside. She wanted to hold his full attention. "Let's see a little dominance if you're really a bad boy~"
@Robbie ⚖ Zeke
Let me hear you say please~."
"Or," she slinks backwards, leading him deeper inside the dancefloor away from the muted chatter from outside. She wanted to hold his full attention. "Let's see a little dominance if you're really a bad boy~"
@Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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He puts a hand over his chest as if he were just insulted. "Tch, me? Shy? Please. It takes more that to throw me off."
He leans in closer to her crossing his arms. "Oh you'd love to see me beggin' on my knees for you."
Cameron voices it like it was a challenge. And Zeke couldn't help but participate, he follows after her with a stride. He takes the coat off his shoulders and tosses it off to the side somewhere. When he gets close enough to her he slides a hand on the small of her back.
He leans once again, hovering over her ear before chuckling, "I'll show you how bad I can be."
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Maybe if she were soberer, her usual iron-wrought composure would allow her to play off the whisper as merely an attempt to get in her head – a simple play to take back the power that was in her possession. But the deep chuckle bypasses the weakened defences and rumbles inside her mind, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine. It was an instantaneous action, but one where she was no longer in the advantage, Cameron letting out a soft exhale to ground herself once again. She won’t let Zeke enjoy this victory for longer than needed – she won’t concede that readily.
Though successful in his offence, he does leave himself open to attack, Cameron turning her face to return a husky whisper of a retort by his ear, faces mere inches away. She could feel the radiating warmth of his cheek, smell the medley of old spice and liquor, hear his soft breathing.
“Go on then…show me how bad you really are, Ezekiel.” With his hand on her waist, she breaks the distance even further, snaking her arms around his neck while he leans over.
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He feels closer to her as she wraps her around around the back of his neck. Zeke rests his other hand behind her back to get more comfortable as they swayed from side to said. She whispers into his ear and he feels his lips go draw, he licks his lips before shaking his head. The song started off slow, and he listens to the music, following the beat with his steps in tandem. It was nice, kind of intimate. But there wasn't much he could do in this position.
After the song picked up a bit, Zeke took his right hand and lifted it up to one of the hands around his neck. He gentle took her hand into his before placing them on his chest.
If she wanted him to be dominant then fine, he would be.
He lets out a huff of air through his nose, like he wanted to laugh. "Careful, if I use my full power you won't be able to resist me." He gives a playful smirk.
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Things were going too well, of course, and the hands of fortune had to rebalance things when Zeke’s jacket decided it wanted to reunite with its owner’s foot. Being held so close, she thought she would fall too, but he manages to steady himself before she too lost her footing; however, her face does collide right into his chest from the momentum.
She pulls away slightly to give her nose bridge a rub, sluggish inebriated mind processing what just happened. “I…” Her eyes watch the culprit be relegated to the other side of the room, trying to hold back a chuckle once the situation finally settled in her mind. That was until she sees that stupid but cute grin on Zeke’s embarrassed face and his question – she couldn’t hold it back after, a hearty laugh filling the room.
“God- You’re so lame,” she wheezes through her laughs, dimples deepening from her raised cheeks. She doesn’t move away from him, though, waist still held. “Is that your full power?” she teases with a grin.
@Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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They probably head home together or smth as neither should drive (we can finish up in dms we want a proper ending fdhgfg)- FIN
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Exported 927 message(s)
LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / dancefloor-2
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Seeing a smile in return, although small, made Étoile feel joyous. Though she was already happy to have found him, the red flower went onto hugging Ernest tightly before his hand could even touch her arm.
"I have! I've gotten really good drinks and had a few nice chats as well with some people ️ i even met the kitty!" she grinned happily. @li 📽 ernie
️ i even met the kitty!" she grinned happily. @li 📽 ernie
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"We talked for a little! And danced together! Although the kitty was quite drunk... but he seemed happy," she chuckled some more, lightly holding Ernest's arms as she talked to him, looking into his eyes. He also seemed... a little tired! To put it nicely.
"Have you had fun so far? ✨ " she smiled oh so brightly again, although suppressing the urge to make ernie twirl and dance with her. @li 📽 ernie
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Ernest couldn’t help but let his lopsided grin take its full bloom. Etoile’s positive vibes were just infectious like that.
“Wow, the kitty talks and dances,” he mutters in awe. “Well, it’s good you made him happy.” It seems like he didn’t exactly realize that the kitty was Kitzinger, but due to the fact that that guy was indirectly a major source of stress for him earlier in that night, perhaps it was better for him to just stick to the image of a little cartoon cat in his head doing the waltz with a lady twice his height.
“Oh, um….” He purses his mouth. “Yeah, it’s been… good. I’m just,” he laughs, “a little tired ‘s all.”
“But seeing you is pretty re-energizing “
@May | Étoile Eden Voyce
“
@May | Étoile Eden Voyce
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When was it last that Étoile got to be blessed by Ernest smiling so brightly... did she even ever see a smile like this? Ever? Regardless of the answer, Étoile was enamored with his adorable smile, and couldn't help but lift her glove adorned hand to pat and ruffle through ernie's hair. "So cute!"
Although at the mention of him being tired, she could understand - that's what alcohol does to people, after all. At least when it wears off... but hearing from the man himself that she was a source of energy, made her flush with surprise - that was a rare compliment! In return she gifted him a grateful and... shy smile.
"Ah, thank you-- for your compliment! I'm glad I could do something good to you ️ " étoile chuckles once more.
"Well, if you're coming back alive now, how about we go for a small dance? At least the music would allow for a slower dance~" she hummed. @li 📽 ernie
️ " étoile chuckles once more.
"Well, if you're coming back alive now, how about we go for a small dance? At least the music would allow for a slower dance~" she hummed. @li 📽 ernie
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Ernest scrunches his face as Etoile tousled his just-fixed hair, but he supposed it was better than getting pinched on the cheek or something. He really didn’t get what was so cute other than maybe the novelty of seeing him in a little vest.
And all was fine and dandy until Etoile asked him for a dance— he wasn’t… opposed to the very idea of dancing like some of the people in his classes were during junctions in highschool and college; he just. Never did it. He didn’t have experience. People didn’t really go to events thinking ‘oh boy, I can’t wait to waltz with Yang Sauer!’
“Um……. I’m sorry Etoile, I… don’t really know how to dance… like at all,” he laughs sheepishly. “It probably wouldn’t be fun for you.”
@May | Étoile Eden Voyce
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Ah, the scrunching made Étoile really happy... how could a person be so cute!!! How!! she wondered..
"Everyone can dance! Because as long as you have fun, it's dancing" was her response - and it sounded like she was genuinely believing that. It felt like that was her lifemotto.
"and if you're not confident enough, I can lead! I've been told that I was a good leader in dances as well, and quite often so, so there has to be some truth to is, I think? " Étoile slid her hands back down to carefully hold ernest's hands, as if to talk to him heart-to-heart.
"Won't you try it this once? I'd enjoy my evening even more if you blessed me with a dance, nene~ " puppy eyes,,, activated. @li 📽 ernie
" Étoile slid her hands back down to carefully hold ernest's hands, as if to talk to him heart-to-heart.
"Won't you try it this once? I'd enjoy my evening even more if you blessed me with a dance, nene~ " puppy eyes,,, activated. @li 📽 ernie
Now playing…
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She laughed heartily, "even if I left you alone, you wouldn't look like a clown! Have more confidence, nene~ Enjoy your youth ️ ✨ "
She then let go of one hand, the other still holding his, and goes into a light bow to start the dance.... and so did the music change.
Ah, this song. One that she has performed many many times before, and one of the bars' favorite performances... because it felt real whenever she sang it - she emoted so naturally and emotionally whenever she did.
And admittedly... it was one of the only songs that would make her eyes shine and sparkle from the wetness... but never did she shed a tear. Maybe one day.... maybe then, this song will finally make her cry. Maybe then, sales will skyrocket and newspaper will riot. Maybe then.
She'd halted for a split second, as if something had been triggered, but she recovered quickly and perfectly so.
In her bow, she asked "well then, shall we?" and started to gently pull Ernest into smooth and heartfelt movements. There was no rush to be quick, no forced details, and the music wasn't to slow either - it was a natural dance... one you could just let loose to, although in a different way... since many describe 'letting loose' as an action that was big, crazy and loud.
But who said that it always had to be that way?
️ ✨ "
She then let go of one hand, the other still holding his, and goes into a light bow to start the dance.... and so did the music change.
Ah, this song. One that she has performed many many times before, and one of the bars' favorite performances... because it felt real whenever she sang it - she emoted so naturally and emotionally whenever she did.
And admittedly... it was one of the only songs that would make her eyes shine and sparkle from the wetness... but never did she shed a tear. Maybe one day.... maybe then, this song will finally make her cry. Maybe then, sales will skyrocket and newspaper will riot. Maybe then.
She'd halted for a split second, as if something had been triggered, but she recovered quickly and perfectly so.
In her bow, she asked "well then, shall we?" and started to gently pull Ernest into smooth and heartfelt movements. There was no rush to be quick, no forced details, and the music wasn't to slow either - it was a natural dance... one you could just let loose to, although in a different way... since many describe 'letting loose' as an action that was big, crazy and loud.
But who said that it always had to be that way?
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"This is nothing to thank for," she gently put her hand back to his waist, so he'd avoid getting confused with the steps, "Please tell me more of times you've enjoyed! It's a really pleasant thing to see... how genuine you are. You deserve happy things, Ernest."
Étoile usually only called people by their nicknames, but now she'd used his full name... It didn't just sound genuine.
It was genuine.
Something within her heart frozen in time, had finally moved.
As both continued to calmly enjoy the experience, Étoile had the urge to compliment her dance partner. "You're doing really good, nene! There's no need to be afraid of dancing to lovely, slow and heartfelt songs like these! Or am I wrong?" she asked as a rhetorical questions... because if the answer was different, Étoile might wonder why.
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Ernest lips purse into a tiny frown. He deserved nice things. It was a simple statement- hell, it was kinda a no-brainer, wasn’t it? But it didn’t feel like it all the time. He wondered if he’s ever heard that one before. He has to blink back some wateriness in his eyes as well. Too bad you can’t look away while dancing, and too bad his bangs didn’t protect him this time.
The song swells, and then repeats, and he thinks about the lyrics again just when Etoile asks the topical question.
“Well, I guess it becomes a bit harder when the songs hit a little too close to home. But I’m not afraid anymore since you taught me how to keep up. Thanks, Etoile.”
He pulls away gently as the song peters out, sliding his hands into his pockets.
“You stay safe, if you need a ride my brother’s gonna pick me up when the dinner ends.”
@May | Étoile Eden Voyce THANK U FOR THE DAAANCE
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Ah. If only she was a little more... observant, Étoile would realize the effort Ernest put into hold back any tears. However... she usually notices.
She just doesn't say anything.
Instead she gives him a big, cheeky smile, and slapped Ernest's back a little harder than usual, saying "Don't worry! You're dancing just fine I've had tons of fun with you, Nene~ I'm glad I was able to be of help ️ Oh and I will definitely need a ride later! I'll be by the entrance once the event ends~" she waved, ready to leave. However, for a second... she hesitated.
Étoile acted to lighten the mood, but something felt off. Something... was making her say this, even though she'd never be the type to.
"Be yourself and live your life... at your own pace."
Her smile weakened for a second, only to lightly lift... but something was different.
It felt... sad.
Quickly realizing this weird feeling that she's experiencing, Étoile snaps out of it and starts to wave again as she quickly flees the scene. There was no chance to catch her...
I've had tons of fun with you, Nene~ I'm glad I was able to be of help ️ Oh and I will definitely need a ride later! I'll be by the entrance once the event ends~" she waved, ready to leave. However, for a second... she hesitated.
Étoile acted to lighten the mood, but something felt off. Something... was making her say this, even though she'd never be the type to.
"Be yourself and live your life... at your own pace."
Her smile weakened for a second, only to lightly lift... but something was different.
It felt... sad.
Quickly realizing this weird feeling that she's experiencing, Étoile snaps out of it and starts to wave again as she quickly flees the scene. There was no chance to catch her...
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While he stayed mostly sober for the somewhat successful night of socializing (depending on what you define as successful…), Luciel decided to be brave and at least have one drink for the night…
That proved to be a mistake on his part, by the way… he should have known better considering he’s discovered long before this that his alcohol tolerance is weak. One cocktail and he’s already feeling tired out… even if the pink lemonade mixed with vodka was divine.
On the bright side, it clouded his thoughts somewhat. Besides feeling like a toddler awake past his bedtime, it was nice not to have a million things going on in his mind as he wandered onto the dance floor area.
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The dancefloor- not as grand as the ballrooms she would have preferred for herself, but Minimalism had it's own charm.
A memory flashes across her eyes. The feeling of air rushing past her nape as she twirled in the arms of someone who smelled like lavender. It's then that it clicks- ah, I had been avoiding this room.
But she's here now, and she loved dancing. It's time to enjoy a good thing again. She looks around at the party guests, her eyes landing on a gleam of petal-colored hair. The same she's seen hanging around the break room door, like a vampire that's waiting to be invited in.
"Hello Luciel, are you waiting for a dance?" @Li
Luciel
Luciel
@mei | cerise PARDON MY ALARMS FAILED ME
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Her lips curled ever so slightly more.
"Then I'll have the pleasure of being your first." Half a statement, half a question. She holds out her hands in a leading position- one hand raised, and one hovering near his waist, looking to his eyes for a flash of a green light. @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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A faint shade of red tinted the tip of his ears after Cerise positioned herself to lead him. Nothing but brief thoughts about how kind she was to offer him a dance… because surely there were others more suited to someone who seemed so experienced…
Gently taking her hand, he shyly nodded before quietly responding, “I’ll do my best… I think… I’m a fast learner…” or that’s what others have told him at least.
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She stole glances at the red rising in his ears. It was alluring, like wine staining white sheets.
"Your best is all I need."
With that, she breaks her own position to smoothly place Luciel's hand on her shoulder. Clasping the other, she encloses the position with her hand to his waist.
"Let's waltz. Ready? ... Un.. Deux.... Trois..." She counts down slowly, her voice quieting to an above whisper.
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((NOT LI))
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Obediently moving as Cerise instructed, he held her gingerly once she began to teach him the steps. Perhaps it was the alcohol… perhaps it was his agitation with not being use to such close contact with another person… but he fumbled at first, only saved by Cerise’s graceful expertise.
Whispering a quick, but embarrassed apology—Luciel tried again. Miraculously, he didn’t seem to be bragging when he said he was a fast learner. He hit those steps with perfect precision—!
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At long last, Jericho finally finds his way to the dancefloor. Illuminated by the lights in a heavenly glow is ✨ Cerise ✨. Her arms are entwined in an intimate dance with...Luciel.
This.
Pink.
Ass.
Motherfucker.
Jericho glares jealously at him from the sidelines. He is consumed with impotent incel rage.
@mei | cerise @Li💤 ♟ Luciel (Just imagine him standing there until you guys are done!!! no rush )
Jericho glares jealously at him from the sidelines. He is consumed with impotent incel rage.
@mei | cerise @Li💤 ♟ Luciel (Just imagine him standing there until you guys are done!!! no rush )
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Ears turning crimson at Cerise's compliment, he glances away as his cheeks threaten to flush. It wasn't the beautiful lady he was engaged with on the dancefloor that garnered this reaction, but more so the genuine praise she gave him. He wasn't very use to them so... it felt nice to hear is all.
Unfortunately he lacked the words to properly respond to her, so instead he tried his best to live up to her encouragement through his newly acquired skills. Indeed, he continued to glide with her across the dance floor, glancing at the other pairs and attempting to mimic—such as giving Cerise a spin.
The dance continued on for a while, but exponentially he felt the effects of the alcohol from earlier cloud his vision again. That and... the serene smell of vanilla and lavender coming from his partner... it comforted him. Whilst his memories of the past are cloudy, the smell itself awakened something that seemed to further lull him to sleep... and so slowly he followed...
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Barely able to processed Cerise's words, he understood enough that he had to confirm with a nod. "Sorry..." he whispered with his eyes cascaded in guilt. Perhaps next time, no matter what the norm is, he should stay clear of the alcohol. Will Cerise be helping him to a chair perhaps?
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Prompted by a nod, she slows them gently to a halt, making sure to brace him from the inertia.
Taking the rested on her shoulder, she pulled Luciel's arm across, her posture straight despite functioning as a crutch.
She walks them out of the dance floor and slides Luciel onto a chair. She pulls at skews in his clothing, and tucks his hands onto his lap before straightening up.
"Hm?" Was that someone seething nearby? Was that... ah. "Jericho dear!" she warmly greets the man standing nearby, her eyes catching on the subtly glint coming off his attire under the dancefloor lights. She closes the distance between them with a few strides. "I was wondering when I'd get to see you! You look dashing!"
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel ((NIGHT NIGHT!!) @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho and @reina | castell @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik ((whenever you want to jump in!!))
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All of Jericho's jealous scathing anger disappates when ✨Cerise✨ waltzes over to him like a dream wrapped in silk.
His lightheadedness is a reminder that he needs to keep on breathing and also maybe stop staring at her. Blink. Blink. Okay good.
"You look beautiful," He blurts out, red-faced and sweaty. Fuck. Not good. There definitely has to be a better way to describe her appearance. He is an Ivy League graduate for god's sake. He should know how to wax poetical about the ethereal visage of a woman. Think of synonyms and metaphors quick!!!
@mei | cerise
@mei | cerise
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"Thank you~" she accepted the compliment naturally, but quickly departed from it as well. "But let's talk about you- I had a bite of the lobster, it was delicious! Of course, there was no surprise there."
Her eyes scan his visage. Just below the flash of green under his eyes, there's a tinge of a deeper color. Light scattered off the dew on his cheekbones and forehead.
Her brow furrows ever so slightly and she removes a glove, holding her bare hand an inch from his forehead. "Are you alright? You seem a bit... warm. .... Too much to drink?" She laughs delicately at the thought. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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Jericho nods his head dumbly along to whatever ✨Cerise✨ is saying. "Yes, I um. I cooked it. It's good to know the lobsters were to your satisfaction," He says. And then curses in his head. He should be mentioning how he did it! All on his own (mostly)! For the ✨Cerise✨ brownie points!!! His tongue feels too heavy in his mouth however, and nothing eloquent comes out.
"Ah--" He makes a quietly embarrassing noise when she touches his forehead with her hand.
Skin to skin contact.
The Touch Of A Woman.
He jolts back a step and averts his gaze, his face arguably redder than before.
"Yes, it seems I may have drunk a bit more than I typically do," He says, more than ready to use alcohol as a scapegoat for his cringeworthy behavior. "But I'm not drunk." A quick clarification, because he does not want ✨Cerise✨ to view him as a sloppy drunk that gets wasted at company functions. He clears his throat and musters the will to look at her again.
"More importantly, I uh, came over to...wish you a good evening, and say hello. And...so..." Jericho trails off because that is literally all he had planned and Stands There.
@mei | cerise
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Her hand snaps back slightly when Jericho lets out a sound. "Oh I'm sorry, you know I don't bite." She tries to ease him.
With one languid motion, she slips the glove back onto her hand, the white of her arm now painted in black silk once again.
"Well its a party, you're allowed some foolishness, ha hah." The more time she spent around Jericho, the more she began to liken him to a pill bug, ready to ball up and raise defenses at any poke. The devil on her shoulder whispered in her ear to flip him over, watch him fall on those defenses- squirm on the floor. But she fought the urge- Jericho was a well-meaning lad, and that would just be mean.
"Thank you for thinking of me! I'm sorry I don't have much I can do to compensate you for your services thus far. But let me take a look."
She looks at her hands, pretending to see something imperceptible. "Ah here, I found something." She holds up one hand. "Would you like a kiss?" She holds up the other. "Or a dance?" @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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Kylik wasted not a moment longer than Castell would have liked. He showed up like clockwork, a trained dog with manners instilled into him, drilled. She's come to collect on her payment.
Her sultry gaze melts subtly under the weight of her partner's gentle touch on what little of her skin was always hidden from outside eyes. A nostalgic touch and rehearsal- his position parallel to her, a comfortable view.
"Lead the way." she hummed, words that fell from her lips that haven't been spoken into fruition in years.
The couple made their way to the dance floor, hand in hand, entering their stage from the left. Upon entering she noticed a familiar shadow on the floor. Cerise. She holds her tongue, she'll let the other woman notice and greet her first, especially considering the fact that she seems to have company. What was that one's name again...
Vidali?
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @mei | cerise @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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Ah, so the dance floor was already occupied... and by one of his least favorite people at that. Kylik made, an expression upon seeing Jericho standing there with....Cerise. Of course.
Simp.
(As if he wasn't literallly in the same situation with Castell...)
He turns his eyes away from the other two in the room, instead focusing on his partner once more. Even if just seeing Jericho made his fists twitch, it wasn't exactly the time to start brawling. Again.
In fact, it was time - for dancing.
@reina | castell @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho @mei | cerise hewwo,,
@reina | castell @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho @mei | cerise hewwo,,
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Jericho's brain stops working for a solid minute at Cerise's offer. ".....................a dance would be lovely," he finally chokes out as he nervously takes her offered hand.
He takes the lead, as is proper for a man dancing with such an elegant and intelligent lady. Although, as he starts making his way to the dance floor he sees....Kylik (plus some Girl).
God damn blue-haired bastard, ruining his perfect dance with ✨Cerise✨ with his wretched presence. He is going to pretend the man Doesn't Exist.
@mei | cerise @reina | castell @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
God damn blue-haired bastard, ruining his perfect dance with ✨Cerise✨ with his wretched presence. He is going to pretend the man Doesn't Exist.
@mei | cerise @reina | castell @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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His silence trickled down like honey- slow, golden, and sweet. It was a treat for sure. It fueled her smile and good humor.
"Of course." Her body was practiced and her muscles definitely retained their memory- with the slightest start of Jericho's hand moving to her waist she flows right into a following position.
"Do you know how to dance? I can lead you as I have led Luciel over there, if you'd like." She waves her words in front of him like a cattail in front of a cat.
And then- a flash of white in her periphery. Castell. An alluring sight for sure, she wasn't afraid to admit. There was no shame in her gaze, as she scanned over her beloved little sister's form, cloth draping strategically over the curves she chose to hide- making sure ultimately, you see everything. She'd greet her at the right time, and she'll know when the time is right. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho @reina | castell
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He's done this before - had his hands placed where they don't deserve to be - and yet it still leaves him breathless. It's taking everything in Kylik right now not to tremble.
He clears his throat, trying very hard not to think about the way Castell's skin feels under his hands. Does she - can she tell? The years, the roughness - does it bother her? How he's changed? He can't tell.
It would be easy - to let her lead, as she always does. A safer bet, of course, when Kylik's not exactly the peak of elegance, and his memory of the steps is hazy at best - but still, when Castell asks, that slight smile on her lips - he can't help but want to prove to her that...he can. That they can take a chance - on each other.
He settles his hands against the small of Castell's back, steadies himself.
"......I'll do my best....not to disappoint." It's a soft murmur. Just for her.
@reina | castell
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wrappin this up in dms unless someone says otherwise 
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LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / flavourtown
Original message was deleted.
THE FOOD IS FUCKING HERE
[IC]
Everyone indoors can smell it. Immediate. The lobster and sides are done and are carried out onto the banquet table - plates upon plates of lobster and crawfish served in a variety of seasonings - cajun, butter, lemon, blue (blue), you name it. Sides of potatoes and greens and condiments galore. The drinks are flowing and the meat is tier. This feast is yours tonight, detectives.
An announcement goes through the speakers inside/outside the building: "Dinner has been served."
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"Just Patsy, please," he asserts, attempting to break a crab leg in half with one of those cracker things. He's struggling with it. 
"I miss the benefits, and the people... Well, except my boss, I guess..." Months of daily emails asking when he'd come back to work during his indefinite leave of absence. The constant bothering definitely took its toll on the already grieving widower. But now Patsy was here, in a job where (most) people didn't know his troubled history.
"Closets...? Oh, god, is that for the seven minutes thing...? I think I signed up for that..." Patsy, having not been to many teen parties, was wholly unfamiliar with teen party games. He'll have to avoid the walls of the venue, now...
@Jerry (Sun) ☀🌾 Deputy Morgan @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
"I miss the benefits, and the people... Well, except my boss, I guess..." Months of daily emails asking when he'd come back to work during his indefinite leave of absence. The constant bothering definitely took its toll on the already grieving widower. But now Patsy was here, in a job where (most) people didn't know his troubled history.
"Closets...? Oh, god, is that for the seven minutes thing...? I think I signed up for that..." Patsy, having not been to many teen parties, was wholly unfamiliar with teen party games. He'll have to avoid the walls of the venue, now...
@Jerry (Sun) ☀🌾 Deputy Morgan @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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Don’t worry Cameron you’re not the only one noticing that. He kind of gives Cam a silent side look as well like do you know what thats about?
He takes the crab leg and tools, giving a low hum as he focuses a bit so he won’t make an absolute mess of Patsy’s poor but expensive food. Juuust apply some pressure to the join, carefully pull it away, snap it again... Morgan appears to have no issue with cracking this bad bitch, thank you sexy sexy 3 str.... “Would be a lotta reports, imagine the paper work we’d be sittin’ back with if it was just us three ‘n’ Quigley. Hell, really.”
Hands back the tools and the snapped leg for Patsy. “There ya go, just open it up ‘n’ be careful grabbin’ the meat, should be all whole if ya pull it right.” Morgan can’t help but give a bit of a... Chuff of laughter at Camerons comment. “S’pose Ah am. ” 
@Gabbo 📻 Patsy @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
@Gabbo 📻 Patsy @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"Oh god, please do not mention overtime on these premises..." Patsy lets out another small laugh. "If I hear any more talk of cases, or missions or paperwork, I might just blow a gasket...!"
He watches intently as Morgan methodically cracks open the shell. Who knew those strong arms could work with such finesse... Patsy could barely open a bag of chips without spilling them all over himself. He ducks his head in gratitude when Morgan hands the leg back to him. "Thanks..."
Patsy digs the meat out with his fork... before scooting his chair back and standing. "Actually, I think I'm gonna grab another cola before I eat, this brandy's heating me up... I- I'll be right back."
He moseys off towards the bar, with the intent of returning in a minute or two... But as the clock ticks on, Patsy does not come back. 
@Jerry (Sun) ☀🌾 Deputy Morgan @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford (patsy will return, after closet time, cause i feel bad that hyu's waiting for me ;0;)
@Jerry (Sun) ☀🌾 Deputy Morgan @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford (patsy will return, after closet time, cause i feel bad that hyu's waiting for me ;0;)
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Her expression remains consistent though the micro shrug and look she gives Morgan says I have no idea and I'm not sure I want to know.
She's content making the two laugh, nodding in agreement at the disdain of paperwork. "No matter how hard we run away from that, paperwork always comes back with a vengeance."
Morgan's effortless crab cracking gets a "wow" and a round of applause out of her. "What a man to crack crab like that," she thinks aloud though it is still rather quiet, watching the leg be given back to Patsy.
"See you Patsy, there are colas in the bar fridge." With his departure, Cameron looks up at Morgan with a chuckle. "I think we need to add Patsy to the report of missing detectives." More food for them though, she piles her plate high.
@Jerry (Sun) ☀🌾 Deputy Morgan @Gabbo 📻 Patsy
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He walks into flavor town with dishelved hair ready to grab a plate of seafood. He rubs his behind...still feeling the sting.
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She is looking for the breadsticks 
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Mouth full of Red Lobster cheddar biscuit, Kylee turns around from the buffet table only to come into accidental eye contact with Zeke. Whelp. Awkwarddd~
She gives a big bright smile and covers her mouth with her hand, nodding in an attempt to communicate with the other.
“Mmph…m,,mmph! Mm! (So good~) …oh! Hiya Zeke! Enjoying the party so far hun~? 
“ She holds out a pair of tongs.
“You want some cheddar biscuits? 
“
“ She holds out a pair of tongs.
“You want some cheddar biscuits? “
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They make eye contact and Zeke immediately snatches his hand off of his behind. You didn't see that.
"Heyyyy isn't my sister in saxophone arms. I've been been havin ' a grand ol time myself!"
He looks at her tongues raising a brow. "Do I want any cheddar biscuits? Of course I do! What do ya take me for?" He holds his plate out with a lopsided grin.
He looks at her tongues raising a brow. "Do I want any cheddar biscuits? Of course I do! What do ya take me for?" He holds his plate out with a lopsided grin.
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Luckily for Zeke Kylee's a food distracted bimbo who actually, did not see that at all.
"Yep it's me!! 
"
She grins as she snaps the tongs together, not much differently than the claws of the yummy lobsters right before them
Kylee places a couple biscuits onto Zeke's plate before going onto the main event. Lobster
"Bone apple teeth signor 
Heehee"
She stares at the selection of seafood, awed by just how much of it there was. She underestimated just how wealthy some of their coworkers must be for such generous donations 
"Mmm..~ yaknow, some people would say it's a waste to fill up on carbs when you literally have 50 pounds of lobster in front of you, but what can I say, they're good~"
She says, delicately placing a tail on her plate.
"Yep it's me!! "
She grins as she snaps the tongs together, not much differently than the claws of the yummy lobsters right before them
Kylee places a couple biscuits onto Zeke's plate before going onto the main event. Lobster
"Bone apple teeth signor Heehee"
She stares at the selection of seafood, awed by just how much of it there was. She underestimated just how wealthy some of their coworkers must be for such generous donations
"Mmm..~ yaknow, some people would say it's a waste to fill up on carbs when you literally have 50 pounds of lobster in front of you, but what can I say, they're good~"
She says, delicately placing a tail on her plate.
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She gasps.
“Your mind. It’s so huge. You are so right 
“
Her prep drops a bit as she pouts her lip.
“Mmm,dmdm I don’t want to get too full though lest I get too stuffed to move… I hear the only place to lay around here is “the closet” and I don’t think my husband would be too fond of that ehe~ 
“
She starts to chew away at the lobster— melting like the butter on top.
“Aaaaa this is so GOOOD… I’ll have to thank whoever made this later! Do you know who it is, Key? 
“
“
Her prep drops a bit as she pouts her lip.
“Mmm,dmdm I don’t want to get too full though lest I get too stuffed to move… I hear the only place to lay around here is “the closet” and I don’t think my husband would be too fond of that ehe~ “
She starts to chew away at the lobster— melting like the butter on top.
“Aaaaa this is so GOOOD… I’ll have to thank whoever made this later! Do you know who it is, Key? “
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He laughs at the mention of a closet. "Oh yeah, theres a throw pillow in there too if you really go into a food coma.
"I'm sure your husband wouldn't mind if ya brought back a plate a lobster."
Zeke pauses to think, Key that was a new one. But he found it kinda endearing. "Y'know I'm pretty sure the lobsters were a combined effort. Hard to say."
Zeke pauses to think, Key that was a new one. But he found it kinda endearing. "Y'know I'm pretty sure the lobsters were a combined effort. Hard to say."
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" We're allowed to bring these home??" Lobster sandwiches and lobster bisque for days...
We're allowed to bring these home??" Lobster sandwiches and lobster bisque for days...
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"I don't see why not? Just bag it in your purse, y'know?" 
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" 
" She's thinking on it. She really is.
"Sadly this is Gucci and I don't want it smelling like sea brine.... 
"
But no worries, she will have to find a to go box somewhere. Maybe that cursed closet would have a box or two
"Oh! But look at the time, the bar is calling! See you later, save me a dance for later?~ 
✨"
And with that she disappeared away, mojitos were waiting ♀️ 
️
(( Kylee exit, TY robbie for interacshion! 
))
" She's thinking on it. She really is.
"Sadly this is Gucci and I don't want it smelling like sea brine.... "
But no worries, she will have to find a to go box somewhere. Maybe that cursed closet would have a box or two
"Oh! But look at the time, the bar is calling! See you later, save me a dance for later?~ ✨"
And with that she disappeared away, mojitos were waiting ♀️ ️
(( Kylee exit, TY robbie for interacshion! ))
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Ernest manages to find a shitty little landline after turning over the main hall for a moment. It was in an odd place, situated on the alcove between the kitchen and dining hall, but it was there nonetheless. His fingers hesitate, but he eventually takes a breath and taps in the digits on the keypad. There’s a brief whirring.
Hell-o?
“…’T’s me. Um. I know it’s last minute, but… can you come pick me up?”
Didn’t you bike?
“…Yeah, but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it home. I… drank.. too much. Feel sick.”
Taxi, kid. Not my problem. You should know better.
”Please.”
….
“C’mon, please? Just this once?”
*None* of your coworkers can carpool you.
“….I don’t wanna go with any of them?”
Silence hangs over the line. There was some tapping of a computer keyboard on the other end. Prolonged tapping.
..Three hours.
”No way. C’mon, please. I just need a ride to my apartment.”
And I’m busy! Three hours, or bike, cab- don’t care. Call me if you change your mind before I show up for nothing.
Ernest is spurned, staring at the keys on the phone, but doesn’t say anything. He… wants to, but he knows he shouldn’t since he was asking for a favor. Surprisingly, the person on the other end pipes up.
…Did something happen, Ernest?
“No. See you.”
He pushes the phone back into its mantle with a bit more force than necessary, the plastic creating a harsh sound upon collision.
Great. Stuck here for 3 more hours.
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As Jericho walks down the hallway, is attention is drawn by the harsh clatter of plastic hitting plastic. He turns to see the cause and frowns at the sight of Ernest "I'll kick your ass" Yang Sauer.
"Be mindful with property that isn't yours. You don't need that much force to hang up the phone," He lectures, not reading the room at all. Again, this place is rented! By Cerise! How hard is it to be respectful of that.
Jericho frowns when he has a moment to properly look at Ernest and even he can see the man doesn't look good. "...Jesus Christ, how drunk are you?"
@li 📽 ernie
Jericho frowns when he has a moment to properly look at Ernest and even he can see the man doesn't look good. "...Jesus Christ, how drunk are you?"
@li 📽 ernie
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…He forgot to say thank you before hanging up. Not like it’d matter. He heard self-important clopping, and lo and behold, he found himself in the presence of no one other than Jericho.
Oh, great. He hears a pompous voice immediately greet him after ending a call with another. He looks over at the man, unamused. He really wasn’t in the mood. For, well. Anything. Not even conflict. Yet he’d rather die than let this guy condescend him over normal people shit that normal people did.
He frowns just as well when Jericho’s face sours upon taking in his visage. For some reason, it just wanted to make him get even more disheveled- if not to piss him off.
He crosses his arms and lets the question hang in the air as if it was redundant.
“…Enough to do something reckless without thinking of the consequences, thank you.”
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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“Don’t know how else I’m supposed to respond to being told I look like shit. “ He sighs back. He already knew.
“Everyone’s busy right now so I’m being a big boy and playing by myself, happy? Why don’t you just keep walking, Jericho. Don’t you have some girl’s neck to breathe down?”
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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“I told you I’m drunk as shit already.” If he wasn’t drunk as shit he would maybe stop to consider how it wasn’t a great look to be constantly inebriated and aggressive whenever Jericho saw him. It sent a strong, bad message. Especially when he played into it when provoked.
But he did want to let off some steam…
He meets Jericho in the middle, so that his chest barely scathed the other’s. He didn’t have much height on Jericho, but his sleeves were rolled up- and while he would likely never be the same in build as he was when he did manual labor for a living, from the way Parker’s attire fit taut around his frame, he knew he wasn’t weak. Not in a fight.
“You have no fucking self-awareness,” he wheezes incredulously, as if there was someone else to witness their debacle. “Are you here tonight because of your professional relationships with your coworkers, Jericho?”
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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Getting Jericho to curse him was more satisfying than he intended for it to be. Nothing ever stuck. Ernest wasn’t the best at dialogue, as wordy as he could get. The pool altercation stood testament to that. As such, seeing Jericho seethe was…. unjustifiably gratifying. He smirks with a snort, but the smug look is immediately wiped off his face as Jericho took him into his fun-police custody.
“‘’M not sloppy, I spent… ages tying my tie today…” He’s surprised that Jericho would just up and unflinchingly pull him off somewhere- but he knew that his friends were all dissolved somewhere. “You’re drunk too, I bet!”
Or together, but what were the odds Jericho knew where people hung out. He wrestled with the grip, not entirely at his full force of strength, wanting to see where Jericho thought his babysitters were.
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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Jericho tugs Ernest down the hallway. He shoots a judgmental look back at Ernest. "...Ages? Are you still twelve? Tying a tie is basic knowledge." He can't resist the urge to insult the man, especially when he's proven to be such a pain in the ass.
"I'm not, actually." Only mildly tipsy.
Jericho lets out a groan of frustration when Ernest keeps wriggling around like a fussy cat. He glares at him and lets go of his arm to hold his hand for a better grip. "Stop struggling. Christ, you are So drunk."
And so, he walks hand in hand with Ernest, as if following the world's most hostile buddy system, over to the completely empty dining hall. No one in sight.
"...Alright. Where the hell are your friends, Ernest?"
@li 📽 ernie
"...Alright. Where the hell are your friends, Ernest?"
@li 📽 ernie
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“You’re smarter than me for that,” Ernest actually admits. He wished he hadn’t gotten drunk. He downs beers like theyre water and then wonders why he gets hit in the head with them in due time. Every time, he’s starting to notice.
He looks down at the change in grip, and a slightly bemused smile returns to his face in spite of stubbornness. He scoffs.
“Don’t fuuucking know,” He responds eloquently. “Maybe we’re actually in a labyrinth anomaly and we’re stuck together now. That’d be so fucked up,” he muses. “Hope we don’t find nobody. Hope you eat shit.”
He swings their hands back and forth obnoxiously, intentionally to put Jericho off.
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"Oh my god. I regret asking you anything. Can you shut up?" Jericho says, pinching the bridge of his nose. This is literally the worst. He's not paid to babysit his stupid coworkers.
He grimaces when the man starts swinging their hands, but that only makes him more Determined to keep on holding hands. In fact, he squeezes Ernest's hand even tighter. He is not a quitter. Fuck you.
"...Follow me." With a beleaguered sigh, Jericho drags Ernest right back down the hallway towards the kitchen.
@li 📽 ernie
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A little worn out from the games earlier (not that they even participated that much), Xunyi finds themselves wandering around again. Or was it avoiding? The event certainly shoved people together in ways that wouldn't normally happen, leaving all sorts of messes Xunyi would rather not witness to.
Xunyi brushed the thoughts aside as they near the tables. There wasn't much left, not that Xunyi was expecting there to be, but it was still a bit of a disappointment. They stand there, zoning out slightly. Should they find somewhere else to wait the event out? Should they find more food? Briefly, Xunyi wonders if it'd be considered rude if they left to grab takeout then come back to help with the clean up later. It's not like they would be missed.
@ren | rhett 
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"Detective Hu."
It seemed to be a common occurrence, for Rhett to intrude on those looking for a moment of peace and quiet. Conversation, company, people, he hungered for those more than he hungered for food. And his next victim was the silvery-haired colleague, lost in some sort of contemplation.
"Having a good night?"
@meow | xunyi HAVE A LOVELY SHOWER MEOW!!!
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Leaning over to look at Xunyi more carefully, Rhett laughs. "I love parties. But you," taps the other's empty beer can, a metallic sound ringing softly, "don't look like someone who does." A pause before Rhett extends a hand with a flourish, as if presenting himself as an unsung hero. "But do not worry, I am here to relieve you of this conundrum! How may I be of assistance?"
@meow | xunyi
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Rhett laughs, though it's not as enthusiastic as before -- not much of a cleaner himself, so he's relieved that Xunyi calls it off as a joke.
"Ramen? You're still hungry after this?" Gestures towards the emptying banquet table.
Connect4 energy wafts over from #/dancefloor (and not because ren couldn't figure out how to make blackjack work) and oh, lo and behold they spot another set here. Rhett taps on his chin thoughtfully.
"Let's gamble a bit, Detective Hu. What kind of stakes do you like?"
@meow | xunyi
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Player to move: rence#1456
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Ah. Slight disappointment. "I guess no dinner for me "
"
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It seems like his initial judgment of Xunyi was correct -- the individual being one who would happily engage in activities such as rooftopping. The dinner would just be an investment, and the Connect4 game was a ruse.
"Gambling is fun." 
Fox-like smile. "As for rooftopping. . . unfortunately the roof of this venue is fenced in. . . typically I go around my apartment but we can always try something new."
@meow | xunyi
Fox-like smile. "As for rooftopping. . . unfortunately the roof of this venue is fenced in. . . typically I go around my apartment but we can always try something new."
@meow | xunyi
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You know, in all of this, Lullaby still hasn't gotten anything to eat. They exit the kitchen, smiling a bit to themself as they head for the food table, stacking Very Large Amounts of Room Temperature Lobster and Sides. Taking a seat, they start going to chow town. @turtle | eden
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Eden wanders into the banquet hall, looking finally to supplement her concentrated drinking at the start of the party when she sees Lullaby, scarfing down their meal with an intensity never before seen.
She grabs a plate, loads it with a generous myriad of seafood, and shuffles nearby, pointing at the seat adjacent to them. “Is this seat taken?”
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They push the seat back with their foot, giving her easier access to Plopping Down Rights. A smile, they swallow (politely!!) before responding.
".... is now, if you want to join me? You late to the dinner too?" @turtle | eden
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“You could say that,” Eden says with a smile, nodding a “thank you” before sitting down. “Is your appetite normally this voracious? Or are you just taking advantage of the venue?”
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They laugh. "A little bit of both, actually... plus gotta settle the stomach with all the drinks. What about you?" They look at her. From size alone, they wouldn't assume she's a big eater but... well, they've seen Cam. @turtle | eden
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“Er,” Eden starts, picking apart the lobster, “I used to eat pretty quickly, but years ago—kinda a seafood-themed spread like this—I was going a little too fast and choked on a scallop.” She’s deep in contemplation, staring at her plate. Then, solemnly: “Things have changed since then … oh, I don’t mean anything serious by that. I just eat much slower. And I don't eat scallops. Crazy, how feeling like you’re almost going to die changes you.”
She looks up at Lullaby with a wry smile. “Got any near-death experiences yourself? Based on the Never Have I Ever, you seem like you get into a bit of trouble here and there.”
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They listen attentively, laughing at her pain - and then smiling sheepishly about it. Sorry. "Glad you made it through, Edes."
"And mmmmmm...." A lean back in their seat. They take a sip of their beer. "... nothing serious - I mean, just the usual 'I should not have taken that last shot' or 'I shouldn't have hiked 20 miles in the heat without eating', y'know..?" Lullaby cracks open the shell of some poor animal. "If you mean the cops thing, that was just... house parties and shit."
"What about you?" They point a claw at her, but wiggles it so that it's more goofy than menacing in any degree. "Any secret stories?" @turtle | eden
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A short laugh, and then, “You don’t wanna know.”
… She can’t think of anything.
But even if one were to rear its ugly head, secrets are not exactly something Eden would feel inclined to share upon first [proper] encounter. It gets tiresome. The same party story to him, then to her, then to them. And for what? For a barely-there, fraying line of easy rapport and thin laughs that lasts the night and ends come the hangover? When she moved away from New York, she had hoped she would have the strength or the intelligence to stop expending energy into people she’d never see again or people who, ultimately, never matter. But since arriving at LQCC, she’s had a difficult time gauging who is to stick around and who will just be another passing face—a reminder of some spent effort, some squandered care.
Eden takes a few bites in a pensive silence. In her heart of hearts, she’d like to take a chance with Lullaby.
“Lullaby, do you mind humoring me?” she asks, desperate to make a few steps toward someone she wants to be—someone she came to MC to one day grow into. “Could you tell me about something—or someone—you love?”
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Lullaby waxes lyrical like a dream—Eden is so pleased with the answer, especially as it curved and meandered out of their mouth. As her head clears, for the first time in the night, it isn’t the alcohol that anchors her here; it’s conversation.
“A low bar for loving is like the FastPass for life—you’re very lucky, in that regard, at least,” she lilts, almost.
She laughs, first, after a period of thinking. When Lullaby, effusive, mentions their grandparents at last, their gentle strength and patience to which Eden has borne witness in missions and in the office somehow all makes sense. Her own grandparents are a great source of tenderness.
What did she love? Among many things, it was this: people’s voices when they sweeten, eyes when they soften, and all in the name of caring deeply about small and great things—experiences.
“I love my family, too.” She thinks of Avery—that brat—and an unconscious smile invariably graces her face. “I love going on adventures. Anything outdoors, really. I love when you’re on a hike, and it is kicking your ass, but you finally crest the peak. And the sky and sea and valleys seem to unravel infinitely before you, reminding you that it’s always been there; you just have to look.
“And, of course, you love stories,” Eden echoes fondly. “After all, aren’t stories the reason we’re all here? Being detectives, even if it’s not our forte. Snooping around, piecing narratives together. Is joining this agency the beginning of a new story for you? Are there things you might like to leave behind, Lullaby?”
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Oh. They stop eating, though they don't realise they've done so, entranced by listening to her speak.
They had thought... well, from her opening - "what do you love", they had assumed she had wanted to talk about a broken heart - something romantic, a kiss gone wrong, a feeling smashed under heel. But...
Lullaby smiles at Eden, pleasantly surprised.
It's not that any of those topics of conversation would have been unwanted - they were always happy to listen, but... it's ... strangely refreshing. To hear someone talk of a love in a way that they can feel so viscerally.
They feel the tension in the muscles she describes, that break of sky and infinity --
they want to be there too.
A laugh, joyous and gentle.
"Yeah... I-" And they surprise themself with the truth. "- I know exactly what you mean. With the hiking ... thing. Yeah. Yeah." Again and again, for emphasis.
"I wouldn't say there's anything... I'm not running from anything. I..." They take their eyes off her face, to her hands, and then to their own. "I think I just want to run towards something... see that, summit of the hike, you know?"
"... what about you, Edes...? Is there something you're getting away from? Sorry, I'm just repeating your questions..." @turtle | eden
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Eden nods, knowingly. She would like very much to run toward something, too.
Her conversation with Lullaby has nudged her closer to a truth she’d been deliberately evading. For someone who claims to be so in love with adventures out in nature, it feels disingenuous that she spends so much of her time in dimly lit bars and clubs, chasing inconsequential relationships and somewhat cheap human connection. To what end, she still can’t seem to answer. Maybe another night.
But Eden knows that she feels humbled after their talk. She gives so much—of her time, of her energy—for things she doesn’t love. This is what she wants to cast away.
“Oh, that’s okay. I’m surprised—in a good way—no, in an great way—that you’re willing to answer so honestly.” She pauses. There are some overtly dishonest people among their cohort, but Lullaby hardly seems the type (at least, not maliciously). “So I’d like to return the favor, as best as I can. But I think I’m still trying to figure out exactly what it is I’m looking to leave behind. One day, I’ll have an answer for you.
“In the meantime, do you think you’d like to move toward something together? Maybe we have different goals, but I think our attitudes might be compatible.” Eden knows that, for her, talking this candidly with Lullaby is already one, two effortless steps closer to her goal. She hopes that someday she can understand how to support Lullaby in their pursuit, but she wants to save a topic as treasured as that for her sober, more sensible self.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby should we wrap up soon? :D save more conversation for another day 😌
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The formal proposition gains another laugh out of them. 'Our attitudes might be compatible' - she's good with words, they take note of that.
"Absolutely." They hold out a hand for a handshake. It only feel suitable, considering the way she had phrased it. ".... this may be a little... forward, but do you have a number I could call you at? Landline is fine..."
"... or I could just talk to you in the office, or something..."
".... there's some places I think you'd like to see."
".... or well,"
".... some places, I'd like to show you." @turtle | eden
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She takes their hand and gives it a firm shake. “Business partners. We’re looking out for each other’s ventures, yeah?”
Eden glances briefly around for anything she could use to write her number for them, but the search turns up, unsurprisingly, empty. They’re still at the banquet table, after all. “Remind me next time we’re in the office. It’s not like there won’t be a million different opportunities to link up.” The thought of that alone puts a genuine smile on Eden’s face.
On the figurative journey to the figurative summit, Eden knows Lullaby will be there—not always, but certainly just enough, chasing the peak in lockstep. But she hopes, on a weekend sometime, even before that faint-wash of light Lullaby loves so much bleeds into the sky, they could grab some coffee and a bite to eat and catch the sunrise at the top of a big, tall mountain. Like the beginning of a new story or, even better, the continuation of a deeply promising one.
“But, Lullaby," she says, "I would like nothing more.”
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
THANK YOU!!!!!!!! i'm in love and in patient wait for a hiking date ⛰️
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"We'll work on our contract in the office." They tease as they finish eating and stand up, pushing their chair back under the table. "See you later, Edes."
The chapter ends for the night, not on a cliffhanger, but on a promise.
JUST WRAPS UP... TY SO MUCH FOR THE RP KISSIE KISSIE <3 dms u later... @turtle | eden
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LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / fountain
It's a fucking fountain. Big. Human-sized, possibly. As in, could fit a human. To get here you follow a path through the garden... it is also surrounded by vegetation and shit. It's midnight, be nice to me.
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Tyler finished escorting Eden to the Water Fountain (no not this one) and . ♂️ He was left without anything to do again. Why did he even want to go to the closet in the first place...? Oh, right, he got lost.
....
.........He's still lost 
One would think Tyler would be looking for Adrian—since, y'know, they were hanging out. One would be wrong. Not because Tyler didn't care, but because he's Stupid. In Tyler's eyes, they were just walking.... Adrian was an adult; he didn't need Tyler to babysit him around the event. He could decide to leave and go where he wanted All On His Own . Tyler saw absolutely zero issue, and had Another Storm Coming. Tyler please get some more CHA challenge.
Squints...............................
.........Hey was that Adrian...?
A sad-looking man ( ✅ ) with black hair and a white suit ( ✅ ) and a wine glass ( ✅ ) was ambling around the area, like a zombie (sorry xia im godmodding him 
).
♂️ Tyler wasn't his babysitter. Adrian didn't need Tyler to be constantly at his heels, like some clingy lost kitten. He probably didn't want that, either. He should go enjoy the party. Socialise. Schmooze with the suits. You know...whatever it is that Adrian did.
............
..........................
.................................. Tyler was a clingy lost kitten, though.
He skulked up to Adrian and put a gloved hand on his shoulder.
"Yo." @xia :capitalism: adrian
♂️ He was left without anything to do again. Why did he even want to go to the closet in the first place...? Oh, right, he got lost.
....
.........He's still lost
One would think Tyler would be looking for Adrian—since, y'know, they were hanging out. One would be wrong. Not because Tyler didn't care, but because he's Stupid. In Tyler's eyes, they were just walking.... Adrian was an adult; he didn't need Tyler to babysit him around the event. He could decide to leave and go where he wanted All On His Own . Tyler saw absolutely zero issue, and had Another Storm Coming. Tyler please get some more CHA challenge.
Squints...............................
.........Hey was that Adrian...?
A sad-looking man ( ✅ ) with black hair and a white suit ( ✅ ) and a wine glass ( ✅ ) was ambling around the area, like a zombie (sorry xia im godmodding him ).
♂️ Tyler wasn't his babysitter. Adrian didn't need Tyler to be constantly at his heels, like some clingy lost kitten. He probably didn't want that, either. He should go enjoy the party. Socialise. Schmooze with the suits. You know...whatever it is that Adrian did.
............
..........................
.................................. Tyler was a clingy lost kitten, though.
He skulked up to Adrian and put a gloved hand on his shoulder.
"Yo." @xia :capitalism: adrian
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Thoughts swam through his wine-addled mind. Was he homophobic? Zeke was a lawyer. He was a law student. Did that make them… him…
He shook his head to clear it of its tipsy haze. No, he wasn’t gay. The thought of Ernest in a closet, Zeke attached to his neck like a homosexual, litigious leech—
Adrian shuddered.
A hand on his shoulder interrupted his Intense Sulking Session. With dread pooling in the pit of his stomach, Adrian turned, to see…
…Tyler.
“Oh,” he said, a note of relief palpable in his voice. “Where’d you go?”
He lifted the bottle in a weak gesture. “Want some? It’s expensive.”
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
(SORRY FOR THE Delay I DIDNT SEE THE PING
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Tyler cocked his head, surprised by the question. "I got lost," he stated plainly. "The door got stuck (why does this keep happening to him). It's best not to ask."
............. "....What about you?" Fucking conversation Master. I am truly, genuinely floored how you managed to come out of this night with TWO friends.
Instinctively, he held his hand up to reject the wine. "I don't d—"
.
Adrian thought he was like, 12. And while that was Adrian's Problem, and Adrian could either figure it out or die stupid, Tyler didn't exactly want to . Fuel it. He didn't want to stupidly peer pressure himself either. Besides, Adrian looked....drunk? Would he even remember?
"One glass. I still have to get home." He hadn't drank in a Long Time so he was dearly hoping one glass of...whatever that was, wasn't enough to get him fucked up. This is so stupid Ty you are so stupid why are you letting them deplete your braincells. What is happening. Is it the hairgel. The suit. Black Void Upon Death, the things these people make him do.
@xia :capitalism: adrian wouldnt it be funny if there was only one glass (adrians). anyways.
He didn't want to stupidly peer pressure himself either. Besides, Adrian looked....drunk? Would he even remember?
"One glass. I still have to get home." He hadn't drank in a Long Time so he was dearly hoping one glass of...whatever that was, wasn't enough to get him fucked up. This is so stupid Ty you are so stupid why are you letting them deplete your braincells. What is happening. Is it the hairgel. The suit. Black Void Upon Death, the things these people make him do.
@xia :capitalism: adrian wouldnt it be funny if there was only one glass (adrians). anyways.
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Black Void Upon Death help him Adrian is dumber than he thought.
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"HHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰʰ" Tyler lets out the Worlds Most Beleaguered Sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose for an Uncomfortably Long Time. He couldn't look at Adrian just yet.
Was it really time for.....The Talk™️ 
Fuck's sake......
"Sit down." A command, barked by a tired Man. He pointed to the rim of the fountain. I'm also going to assume everyone is seated for the sake of this rp progressing 
He looks Directly Into Adrian's eyes. A gaze not unlike the one he had given Adrian earlier, yet also completely foreign. The affection that was there was overshadowed by Stern Adultly Disappointment.
"Adrian." He put a firm hand on Adrian's shoulder. "Do you know how to read? No—Did you even read the job posting? ....Actually, don't answer that. No matter what you say, you'll disappoint me."
He sighed. HHHhhhhhhh. "It stated, clearly, on the posting, for the job that All Of Us At This Party Hold, that applicants may be no younger than 21. Twenty-one. Ernest is not a teenager. And...." God was he really going to spell it out.
............Yes. Yes don't leave anything up to Adrian's Conspiratorial Interpretations. "Neither am I. I can drive. I can drink. I pay my taxes. ......The driving age in America is 16, by the way." Grips Adrian's shoulder slightly harder. "ButI'mnotsixteen." 
Tries to think about how old Zeke and Ernest were.... He actually didn't know. Nor care, since it wasn't his business what two grown ass adults did. And it wasn't Adrian's either, but Tyler knew that wouldn't help. He would have one singular modicum of tact here (not really he's just tired of misinterpretations).
Fuck's sake......
"Sit down." A command, barked by a tired Man. He pointed to the rim of the fountain. I'm also going to assume everyone is seated for the sake of this rp progressing
He looks Directly Into Adrian's eyes. A gaze not unlike the one he had given Adrian earlier, yet also completely foreign. The affection that was there was overshadowed by Stern Adultly Disappointment.
"Adrian." He put a firm hand on Adrian's shoulder. "Do you know how to read? No—Did you even read the job posting? ....Actually, don't answer that. No matter what you say, you'll disappoint me."
He sighed. HHHhhhhhhh. "It stated, clearly, on the posting, for the job that All Of Us At This Party Hold, that applicants may be no younger than 21. Twenty-one. Ernest is not a teenager. And...." God was he really going to spell it out.
............Yes. Yes don't leave anything up to Adrian's Conspiratorial Interpretations. "Neither am I. I can drive. I can drink. I pay my taxes. ......The driving age in America is 16, by the way." Grips Adrian's shoulder slightly harder. "ButI'mnotsixteen."
Tries to think about how old Zeke and Ernest were.... He actually didn't know. Nor care, since it wasn't his business what two grown ass adults did. And it wasn't Adrian's either, but Tyler knew that wouldn't help. He would have one singular modicum of tact here (not really he's just tired of misinterpretations).
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"Ernest and Zeke are adults. What they're doing isn't illegal. I doubt its immoral, either. I have trouble believing their age gape is wide enough for that. I'm not one to talk, but if I had to guess, they're probably around my age?"
Wait. Right. Adrian was Stupid™️
SIIIIIIIIIIIGH. "24, by the way. Basically 25. And if you're going to be stupid and say I'm lying, I'll show you my license. Or my fucking birth certificate. Aren't you, like, 21 anyways...? Why do you assume everyone's so much younger than you...." He shook his head. No, don't get derailed.
"Some people are gay, Adrian." Was he going to tell Adrian.
......No. No now was definitely not the time for that. "It's not our business."
.............................. S I G H .
"But if you need someone to talk it out with, I'm here."
@xia :capitalism: adrian help
@xia :capitalism: adrian help
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He blinked, sitting down obediently.
Tyler gave him The Talk.
There was a lot to unpack there.
Adrian took another long sip from his wine bottle. It was beginning to get to him, drowsiness creeping its way up through his body and into the corners of his eyes. A pleasant buzz coursed through his veins.
“I know you’re not sixteen,” he said, as if it was obvious. You’re, like, eighteen. Maybe.
He nodded compliantly, humoring Tyler. He Obviously Was Not twenty-four, but Adrian was in no state of mind to rain on his parade today. He thought long and hard about Ernest, though.
His brows furrowed with the exertion.
…
Well, he could see it. Ernest not being a teenager, that was. It made sense.
Teenagers were not mature enough to engage in the types of Disgraceful Deeds that his coworkers seemed so keen on flagrantly indulging in. He nodded to himself. This was a burden, lifted from his shoulders.
Then: he frowned.
“Gay is a slur,” he slurs, through the pleasant haze of wine-warmth and Ernest-related relief. “That’s not very polite.”
Ernest didn’t look homosexual, though. But maybe the signs had been there. The artsy film studies, the attractively tousled hair, the brooding yet sensitive demeanor…
Much to consider. His brain ached with the revelations.
“I am beginning to think,” Adrian tried, deep in thought, “that much of the office is engaged in. Activities of a homosexual nature.”
“Not that there’s anything. Wrong with that,” he added, as a Supportive Ally. “But it complicates the workplace dynamic.”
“Distressingly.” If he opened the break room door to Ernest and Zeke engaged in Indecent Behavior, he would simply resign from his post. Expeditiously.
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Tyler is not a mind reader; therefore to him, this looked like dodging the question. Adrian Did Not Address the ages of Ernest or Zeke (or him, but he was less pressed about that), therefore Tyler could not confirm Adrian understood. He Needed Confirmation. And judging by Adrian's comments.......it sounded like Adrian wasn't buying it.
New plan.
First thing's first, though: "Gay isn't a slur. I don't know who told you that, but they were lying. I won't tell you the real slur. Don't ask around either. Obviously." He had some Real Concern that Adrian wasn't going to believe him without any evidence, which was fair. Maybe he could convince Adrian if they just asked Ernest or Zeke, Real Gay People™️ (no Tyler did not factor himself into this equation bc he doesn't really do labels)
Second: "You like women, right? There are women at the office. Are you all over the women? No. Why's it any different for men who like men. —It's not. That's the answer. Gay people aren't some weird anomaly. They're not attracted to every single person." "Gay people have standards and preferences and boundaries too." Jesus fucking christ he felt like he was explaining Being Gay to a toddler.
Actually, you know what, Adrian Doesn't Get To Know , Ever . That Tyler Has Slept With Men. Tyler absolutely did not need one of his few office friends to start feeling weird and awkward around him because he was a moron. 
Finally, third: "We're going to talk to Ernest and Zeke. If you don't believe me, believe them. And then, we'll go to Law's records and cross-reference them. He's a detective, so he'll have our information correct." Supposedly. Tyler didn't actually believe that, given Lawrence's ........... yeah—but he just needed Adrian to believe it. @xia :capitalism: adrian
(no Tyler did not factor himself into this equation bc he doesn't really do labels)
Second: "You like women, right? There are women at the office. Are you all over the women? No. Why's it any different for men who like men. —It's not. That's the answer. Gay people aren't some weird anomaly. They're not attracted to every single person." "Gay people have standards and preferences and boundaries too." Jesus fucking christ he felt like he was explaining Being Gay to a toddler.
Actually, you know what, Adrian Doesn't Get To Know , Ever . That Tyler Has Slept With Men. Tyler absolutely did not need one of his few office friends to start feeling weird and awkward around him because he was a moron.
Finally, third: "We're going to talk to Ernest and Zeke. If you don't believe me, believe them. And then, we'll go to Law's records and cross-reference them. He's a detective, so he'll have our information correct." Supposedly. Tyler didn't actually believe that, given Lawrence's ........... yeah—but he just needed Adrian to believe it. @xia :capitalism: adrian
For the record ernie and/or zeke tyler will just be interrogating you about your ages but i am Sure adrian will say some shit . sorry AXFCGVHDBJNKDVHDBJNK ))
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He stared blankly and spoke slowly, as if explaining a concept to a toddler.
"Homosexual is the formal word. Therefore, is it not more polite?" He considered Tyler's normal pattern of speech. It wasn't exactly what he'd call polite, by any means.
Perhaps this was a generational gap.
Moving on.
"I'm not homophobic," he said, with all the affront of a scandalized grandmother. "That's not what I meant. "
"Look, I don't care who's dating who, or whether they're homosexual. The point is that they're being sexual. At all. With... other people. People they work with. Aren't there laws against... workplace... fraternization?" Adrian tipped the bottle in his hand, feeling the wine sloshing back and forth inside, a comforting weight.
"And yes, I like women." Clarification was important, after all.
"It's alright," he said, with a sigh. "If you say Ernest is ... not underage, I believe you."
A pause.
"It's still not a pleasant image though." Actually, did that make him homophobic? "Not that I'm thinking about it. Or that I think about."
A vague hand gesture.
"Homosexual activity. In general."
Was it just the wine, or was this conversation painfully awkward? Maybe drinking some more would help. Gulp.
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"Look, I don't care who's dating who, or whether they're homosexual. The point is that they're being sexual. At all. With... other people. People they work with. Aren't there laws against... workplace... fraternization?" Adrian tipped the bottle in his hand, feeling the wine sloshing back and forth inside, a comforting weight.
"And yes, I like women." Clarification was important, after all.
"It's alright," he said, with a sigh. "If you say Ernest is ... not underage, I believe you."
A pause.
"It's still not a pleasant image though." Actually, did that make him homophobic? "Not that I'm thinking about it. Or that I think about."
A vague hand gesture.
"Homosexual activity. In general."
Was it just the wine, or was this conversation painfully awkward? Maybe drinking some more would help. Gulp.
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SIGH . SIGHHHHHHHHHH . ♂️
One thing at a time, Tyler.
The eyes that met Adrian were glazed over and dead. Like he'd been through a war. Or a normal day at work.
"No. English is weird. Scientific words...formal words.....whatever—they're less polite. They make people feel weirded out. Gay people like to be called gay." .....Bad phrasing. "Gay people like it when you use 'gay.' Conscientiously. Don't go around calling everybody gay. Or homosexual." Tyler internally cringed at the hypothetical mental image of high school bully Adrian pointing to an unsuspecting student and calling them 'Homosexual'(derogatory).
Second. "It's not illegal. Sometimes it's against company policy, but that usually applies to boss and employee, not two coworkers." Squints. "Aren't you a law student..? ...Nevermind. Don't answer that either."
Pinches the bridge of his nose. "We're not at the office. We're at a party. It's fine if they have s*x (SORRY LI HE WOULDNT SUGARCOAT THIS ) here. Don't go assuming they'll do it at the office. If you find out they do it at the office too, then you can take it up with them."
"Even if you don't like it, it's their personal lives, not yours. You don't get to police them. And it's not like they're asking you to join them."
Tyler wouldn't lie–hearing Adrian say he found 'Homosexual activity' unpleasant to think about stung a little. A lot, actually. Tyler had his own secrets and things he'd prefer to keep personal, sure, but this was....more than that. This was actively and intentionally pretending to be something else.
All because he didn't want to lose another friend.
....Jesus, these guys really were a bad influence on him. This job was a mistake...
@xia :capitalism: adrian laughs evilly :)
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One thing at a time, Tyler.
The eyes that met Adrian were glazed over and dead. Like he'd been through a war. Or a normal day at work.
"No. English is weird. Scientific words...formal words.....whatever—they're less polite. They make people feel weirded out. Gay people like to be called gay." .....Bad phrasing. "Gay people like it when you use 'gay.' Conscientiously. Don't go around calling everybody gay. Or homosexual." Tyler internally cringed at the hypothetical mental image of high school bully Adrian pointing to an unsuspecting student and calling them 'Homosexual'(derogatory).
Second. "It's not illegal. Sometimes it's against company policy, but that usually applies to boss and employee, not two coworkers." Squints. "Aren't you a law student..? ...Nevermind. Don't answer that either."
Pinches the bridge of his nose. "We're not at the office. We're at a party. It's fine if they have s*x (SORRY LI HE WOULDNT SUGARCOAT THIS ) here. Don't go assuming they'll do it at the office. If you find out they do it at the office too, then you can take it up with them."
"Even if you don't like it, it's their personal lives, not yours. You don't get to police them. And it's not like they're asking you to join them."
Tyler wouldn't lie–hearing Adrian say he found 'Homosexual activity' unpleasant to think about stung a little. A lot, actually. Tyler had his own secrets and things he'd prefer to keep personal, sure, but this was....more than that. This was actively and intentionally pretending to be something else.
All because he didn't want to lose another friend.
....Jesus, these guys really were a bad influence on him. This job was a mistake...
@xia :capitalism: adrian laughs evilly :)
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"I do not," he added, loudly and emphatically. "Hate the gays."
Adrian's eyebrows wrinkled with effort. He needed an olive branch. A display of his sincerity.
"My brother. Is gay. I think. And that is..." He waved his wine bottle around violently. "Nice."
Maybe he shouldn't talk about Avery, actually. His frown deepened.
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The..............gays..................................
...................He guessed it was Progress. 'The Gays' and 'A Gay' sounded vastly more well-meaning and endearing than 'The Homosexuals'. Tyler would almost MAYBE consider it a TINY bit cute (heterosexual) if he was not also feeling Immense Amounts Of Pain every time Adrian opened his mouth and dared to speak any sort of language to Tyler. Supposedly comprehensible language, but Tyler wasn't so sure any more.
Not......whatever... this is. Relationship law.
Confirmed. Adrian Liu Does Not Read, Or Listen To Things. It was in.....it was in their orientation Adrian................. Jesus. Fuck. Black void. Not today. Not now.
SIGHS. Sighs. Patience, Tyler. Adrian was well-meaning and ignorant. He was also... ...... (derogatory), but it was possible for him to learn. Tyler believed in him.
He.........
............................Was he going around in circles? Was it happening all again? Was this a lost cause?
He didn't want to give up. He didn't want to. He didn't want to let go. He couldn't. He couldn't....................................
In a voice gentler, mayhaps a smidge sad, even, Tyler continued his Educationing. "You're correct. You're not gay, so they won't make moves on you."
Gentle, again. "Why is Zeke that bothers you?" Tyler couldn't possibly fathom, so it was best to ask. Best to make things clear between the both of them. No assumptions, no misconceptions. Just an honest dialogue.
Please Adrian. Please. Listen to him. Listen to reason. Please.
"I don't think you hate...'the gays.'" He gives Adrian a sympathetic smile. "I know you're trying your best, and I— I think that they" nice save Tyler "would appreciate that."
An Uncomfortable Pause.
"I think your brother would, too."
Jesus. Fuck. Black void. Not today. Not now.
SIGHS. Sighs. Patience, Tyler. Adrian was well-meaning and ignorant. He was also... ...... (derogatory), but it was possible for him to learn. Tyler believed in him.
He.........
............................Was he going around in circles? Was it happening all again? Was this a lost cause?
He didn't want to give up. He didn't want to. He didn't want to let go. He couldn't. He couldn't....................................
In a voice gentler, mayhaps a smidge sad, even, Tyler continued his Educationing. "You're correct. You're not gay, so they won't make moves on you."
Gentle, again. "Why is Zeke that bothers you?" Tyler couldn't possibly fathom, so it was best to ask. Best to make things clear between the both of them. No assumptions, no misconceptions. Just an honest dialogue.
Please Adrian. Please. Listen to him. Listen to reason. Please.
"I don't think you hate...'the gays.'" He gives Adrian a sympathetic smile. "I know you're trying your best, and I— I think that they" nice save Tyler "would appreciate that."
An Uncomfortable Pause.
"I think your brother would, too."
@xia :capitalism: adrian 
vague subtext i feel like u will probably get what i am .putting down . i believe in u and ur braincell ))
vague subtext i feel like u will probably get what i am .putting down . i believe in u and ur braincell ))
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Tyler nods, internally, completely understanding the 'hip youth slang'. So Adrian just found Zeke gross. A bit harsh, but everyone was entitled to their preferences. He wouldn't pass this along to Zeke, of course. He's not a snitch 
He listened earnestly to Adrian's drunken, sad wine ramblings. They were Vastly more preferable to the Gay Talk, frankly.
Maybe it was a bad move after Adrian vehemently asserted his own sexuality and expressed discomfort and confusion at the homosexuality of others, but Tyler scooted in closer to Adrian. He wanted to offer some kind of support, but he wasn't good with words.
Instead, he opted for a Heterosexual Hand on Adrian's free hand. Heterosexually. It was light enough you could easily mistake it for a cat paw. He fixated on Adrian's face with bright red eyes. Piercing, soft.
"You can't change the past. There are lots of things you can't control about the future, either. So there's no point beating yourself up over it. It won't change anything."
And yet.
And yet.
Tyler didn't take his own advice.
"You care about your brother. That is a fact, and nothing can take it away from you. Even if your feelings never reach your brother, they exist. It sounds like, where you two are now, that's the most important thing you can do." Gives Adrian's hand a light squeeze. "Sorry. About your brother." Feel free to read this entire paragraph as applied to A Certain Other Person too 
In a quieter voice, "I know you're not a child. Sorry. I'm not trying to make you feel like one. I just want to speak plainly with you. .........I'm not a child either, but we can deal with that later."
@xia :capitalism: adrian
He listened earnestly to Adrian's drunken, sad wine ramblings. They were Vastly more preferable to the Gay Talk, frankly.
Maybe it was a bad move after Adrian vehemently asserted his own sexuality and expressed discomfort and confusion at the homosexuality of others, but Tyler scooted in closer to Adrian. He wanted to offer some kind of support, but he wasn't good with words.
Instead, he opted for a Heterosexual Hand on Adrian's free hand. Heterosexually. It was light enough you could easily mistake it for a cat paw. He fixated on Adrian's face with bright red eyes. Piercing, soft.
"You can't change the past. There are lots of things you can't control about the future, either. So there's no point beating yourself up over it. It won't change anything."
And yet.
And yet.
Tyler didn't take his own advice.
"You care about your brother. That is a fact, and nothing can take it away from you. Even if your feelings never reach your brother, they exist. It sounds like, where you two are now, that's the most important thing you can do." Gives Adrian's hand a light squeeze. "Sorry. About your brother." Feel free to read this entire paragraph as applied to A Certain Other Person too
In a quieter voice, "I know you're not a child. Sorry. I'm not trying to make you feel like one. I just want to speak plainly with you. .........I'm not a child either, but we can deal with that later."
@xia :capitalism: adrian
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For the second time, he took Tyler's hand. He got the feeling there was something he wasn't... picking up, but he had faith that Tyler would tell him, if and when he was ready. Tyler was always honest like that.
Sort of like Avery, really. It was...
... Well, he didn't really know how he felt about it.
But he was here, with a detective's license and a lead—of a sort. A step closer, if that meant anything. And somewhere between where he stood now and a future where things were Okay was a plateful of lobster.
He got to his feet, dusting the back of his pants off; pensive (and somewhat dizzy), he followed Tyler back towards the venue.
( @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN )
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[narrator voice]♂️ Tyler led Adrian back to the venue. Feeling like he was overstaying his welcome, he dropped the drunk Adrian off with trustworthy people (presumably). Gave Adrian a mumble about what room he'd be heading off to and a Trademark Tyler Awkward Back Pat™️. And some water.
♂️ Tyler led Adrian back to the venue. Feeling like he was overstaying his welcome, he dropped the drunk Adrian off with trustworthy people (presumably). Gave Adrian a mumble about what room he'd be heading off to and a Trademark Tyler Awkward Back Pat™️. And some water.
i love adrian so much i hope he finds love and happiness and his brother and i hope he is successful at everything including being homosexual. thank u for rping with me xia u r my meowmeow (platonic)
ROOM FREE !
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After finally escaping from the closet, Doris needed a breath of fresh air. She felt like she should stay inside and engage with more people but her nerves still took the best of her. She sits at the edge of the fountain, dipping her hand in the cool water. She wonders if she should just drink something to help her loosen up and stop thinking so much, but she doesn’t want an incident of her yelling at a coworker to happen again. Nor does she want to trip even more in these heels.
She tips her head back with a sigh. Doris, you are at a really fancy party with your coworkers, it’s not the time to be morose and insecure. She thinks to herself, but reminding herself this doesn’t do much. She can’t help but feel the way she does.
She lingers here for another moment, before taking another breath of the crisp cool air of night. It’ll be okay, she thinks. I’ll be okay. Then she heads back inside, tentative but with an inkling of hope that she can enjoy the rest of the evening.
ROOM FREE/OPEN !
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They don't know how they ended up here - well, walking. That's generally how they end up places. They stare at the fountain for a moment, then stick both hands in, splashing around the water like a toddler at a play pool. Heh.
TAG TO INTERACT or if u want the room for smth else lmk and i will skedaddle!
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Over yonder by the overgrowth of vegetation, a mimosa pops out. The bright fluorescent orange glimmers brightly against the dark backdrop and beckons Lullaby to approach.
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Oh! They were just thinking they wanted a drink.
"Thank you, bush anomaly." Completely just accepting the situation - they've long decided that Meteor City was just Like This. They go to take the glass. @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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There is a huff of a snicker as the drinks gets pulled into the unknowns of the bush, slowly, as though reeling in the line.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Did they just get baited? During pride month?
Lullaby blinks, dazed by the withdrawal, and then .... pushes through the foliage. "Hello?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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He is quick to grab the hand that pushes through the foliage and quickly pulls Lullaby into the natural rotation of a waltz. The mimosa in question, oddly missing.
“Good evening, Lullaby,” the masked stranger greets, “… why are your hands wet.”
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Soft mysterious laughter rings throughout as though it were bouncing off the mosaic of some deep underground temple. Eerie, haunting, and magical.
“Ah, like Venus,” born of sea spray and blown there by the Zephyr winds. Prancing about on freshly made doe legs in a dizzying waltz.
A shake the head, “You have three guesses.”
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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".... kind of gentle for a monster." Teasing. They pause, trying to think of their questions.
INT: 21 @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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“So I’ve been told.”
The timber of his voice is like Morris if he was intentionally trying to make it low. He speaks quietly, seeing as there was no reason to yell. Rather than a stern quality to the timber of his voice, there is a distantness.
The build is similar to Morris, broad-shouldered with toned muscles over a dark suit.
(u know what u rolled a 21, this is morris, how is this fair)
“But monsters aren’t defined by the gentleness of their touch, but by the cruelty of their actions.”
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They speak quietly in turn - whispered confessions in a false garden. A pretend masquerade.
"Are your actions cruel?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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“They can be.”
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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"... do you intend them to be?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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“Does anyone?” If it still managed to hurt someone then what does it matter what his intentions were.
“You may get another since I answered with a question.”
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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"Awfully fair and generous of you, for a self-proclaimed monster." They point out, raising both eyebrows.
"... I think some people do." A pause. "Mean to be cruel. Because it's easier... or because they're scared..."
"Are you scared of something, dear monster? Is that why you're wearing a mask?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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“You’ll keep yourself up at night making excuses for them, when there are better reasons to be up,” he punctuates his point with a tighter grip on Lullaby’s waist.
“Only the things that go bumping in the night, not that it seems to bother you,” they did, after all, follow a mimosa into a bush.
“A mask would do very little to protect me against them, but I have other ways of dealing with them.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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A laugh, breaking just slightly through the quiet of the night, and they move their hand from Morris's shoulder to the side of his neck. Still slightly damp.
"Maybe the things in the night are the reason I'm up. And how.... do you deal with them?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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It sends a shiver down his spine.
“For those who lack the strength and finesse to conquer their enemies, they must resort to more underhanded means to be victorious--”
He throws all his strength into the next spin, plastering Lullaby against the wall in a way he hopes makes their head spin. His hands are on either side of them, not quite touching, but ready to at the drop of a hat. His head remains near the nape.
“Thankfully, I have teeth.”
Who am I, Lullaby.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They laugh.
Of course they laugh - the adrenaline, the rush - they weren't lying about being a lover of danger, you know. Colours spin, the world glides away underneath their feet, and they feel the refreshing coolness of a wall against their back.
Lullaby smiles, fond, and they reach to touch the ends of his mask.
"... as if I wouldn't know you."
"Morris."
They attempt to pull the mask off.
@Luuvy 📋 Morris
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He captures Lullaby’s wrists quickly, as promised, and keeps them pinned along the grainy stone. It digs into his knuckles and scrapes along his skin, but the nerves within his arms have been long since damaged.
“Two more tries,” he hisses.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Whoa there. Their placid expression slips for a moment into one of shock. This is not... a situation they usually find themself in. Pinned and rough-housed like some dainty maiden.
But despite the declaration of teeth, they don't think that Morris will bite.
More importantly -- what the hell is he on about? This is obviously Morris.
Ah.
Morris might not bite, but perhaps this masked stranger will.
"Could it be Morrie, Ginsberg, Gins...?" Lullaby flexes their fingertips, but makes no move to leave the position they've been trapped in. "Or someone new entirely?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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They thought wrong, not that Morris could read minds or anything. And three guesses were up, which meant…
The sensation could be best described as sharp and stinging, and then gone all at once.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They do a gay little gasp for the audience. But mainly their brain is [????????????????????].
Lullaby attempts to run a hand through Morris's hair, tugging backwards gently. They want to see his face. They want to understand.
"..... are you alright?" The bitten asks the biter. @Luuvy 
Morris
Morris
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THEY?? STARE AT THE DRINK. "Oh no.... Morrie......" Can they drink this? Would that kill him?
Ah, fuck it.
They take a sip and head back inside, confused as hell but - hey.
What was it again?
It's Meteor City. Anything can happen.
THANK YOU FOR THE RP WHAT HTE ACTUAL FUCK? @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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RP END . ROOM OPEN
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After having a little too much to drink (and a Lot to think about), he finally escaped from the more lively parts of the party to the quiet fountain. Rather than the chatter of drunk detectives, the only sounds here were the light rushing of water and whatever nighttime critters lurked about. It's perfect scenery to sit back and have a smoke, enjoying the cool summer breeze.
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[timeskip tyler. he has an eyepatch n-]
After the Never Have I Ever game that turned out surprisingly more fun than expected, Tyler was left free without a leash to wander as he pleased.
And by wander I mean get lost. He was at the fountain again. Fuck. At least the cool air was nice. And it wasn't like he had any place to be, either. It was just.....last time he was at the fountain....... 
That wasn't the location's fault, though.
He spots Albert, vibin. Hm....did he want to initiate. He was smoking, too, which something Tyler could Tolerate but wasn't particularly fond of.
Call it the high of stupid brain juice that his coworkers inject directly into his skull, but Tyler's feet ended up walking him towards Albert anyways.
Without saying a word, he sat himself by Albert. Made himself comfortable. Our 
spot now @hyu 👓 albert
At least the cool air was nice. And it wasn't like he had any place to be, either. It was just.....last time he was at the fountain....... That wasn't the location's fault, though.
He spots Albert, vibin. Hm....did he want to initiate. He was smoking, too, which something Tyler could Tolerate but wasn't particularly fond of.
Call it the high of stupid brain juice that his coworkers inject directly into his skull, but Tyler's feet ended up walking him towards Albert anyways.
Without saying a word, he sat himself by Albert. Made himself comfortable. Our spot now @hyu 👓 albert
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"Quiet, I guess? I got lost." Bluntly honest as always "Not that I have anywhere to be."
Settles further into his spot while Albert mulls over the silence. He's just vibing, tbh.
"Yes and no. More fun than I was expecting." But also, stressful in ways he Exactly Expected from this group of crackheads. "...Sounds like you had a good time. That's good." He meant it, genuinely.
@hyu 👓 albert SORRY THIS WAS SO SHORT AND TOOK SO LONG ill be faster hopefully now
"Not that I have anywhere to be."
Settles further into his spot while Albert mulls over the silence. He's just vibing, tbh.
"Yes and no. More fun than I was expecting." But also, stressful in ways he Exactly Expected from this group of crackheads. "...Sounds like you had a good time. That's good." He meant it, genuinely.
@hyu 👓 albert SORRY THIS WAS SO SHORT AND TOOK SO LONG ill be faster hopefully now
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He snorts at Tyler's honesty. Most people would've taken the out he offered, rather than admit they're lost. Albert would have, at least, but he and Tyler are pretty different from one another.
"I had a good time... sort of. I mean, I think Jacob said he would kill me if I found out about a secret he had, and I don't think he was joking sooo...." He blows out a puff of smoke with a weary look, but quickly moves on from that. "What'd ya do tonight? Other than play never have I ever with the rest of us."
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN ITS OKAY short is ok teehee
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♂️ Yeah sorry Albert Tyler is just a weirdo. The weirdo he judges everyone else for being. What is there to be ashamed of? It was the truth. What was the point of pretending to be someone he wasn't?
"Damn...........Priests are freaky." Wait, he thinks Albert might be religious. Or like Jacob. He's not sure but he does remember Albert usually being the one to jump in when he starts trashtalking Jacob. Hm, maybe he should Practice Restraint.
"No offense." Nailed it. "Are, you, uh.............hurt........because he's keeping secrets from you..............?" Help he's literally so bad at this. He's trying but he sucks. This is the Tyler Brother Experience (not really actually. usually his serious moments with his brother are L-word reading Tyler's thoughts and running Tyler Therapy Session. hands hyu crumb)
Looks off into the distance at Albert's question. "Got locked in a closet. Danced in a bathroom." technically. "Talked to.....Adri...an..........." His voice trailed off as he remembered Adrian's Antics in the Never Have I Ever game. Sorry gays he tried. @hyu 👓 albert
♂️ Yeah sorry Albert Tyler is just a weirdo. The weirdo he judges everyone else for being. What is there to be ashamed of? It was the truth. What was the point of pretending to be someone he wasn't?
"Damn...........Priests are freaky." Wait, he thinks Albert might be religious. Or like Jacob. He's not sure but he does remember Albert usually being the one to jump in when he starts trashtalking Jacob. Hm, maybe he should Practice Restraint.
"No offense." Nailed it. "Are, you, uh.............hurt........because he's keeping secrets from you..............?" Help he's literally so bad at this. He's trying but he sucks. This is the Tyler Brother Experience (not really actually. usually his serious moments with his brother are L-word reading Tyler's thoughts and running Tyler Therapy Session. hands hyu crumb)
Looks off into the distance at Albert's question. "Got locked in a closet. Danced in a bathroom." technically. "Talked to.....Adri...an..........." His voice trailed off as he remembered Adrian's Antics in the Never Have I Ever game. Sorry gays he tried. @hyu 👓 albert
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"They are," he nods in agreement. Tonight has given him a LOT to reflect about on what he knows about Jacob. "No offense taken. I'm not a priest anyway."
Then he glances at Tyler, brow raised in both curiosity and amusement, pondering the question. He thinks about it... and thinks some more. Albert never thought Jacob kept secrets from him in the first place, and wasn't really bothered by it until his tyke pointed it out.
"You know what? I think I might be hurt he kept secrets from me!" There's a laugh, almost like he's trying to shrug it off. To be honest, he isn't prepared to confront that idea, especially when there's nothing serious between him and the priest (right?). Luckily, Tyler offers a change in topic, and Albert's attention quickly perks up at the mention of another man. Gasp.
"Adrian? What did you guys talk about?" A pause. He remembers the weird aura filling the party. Albert needs to make something clear, first. "Hold on. Do you... like men? You like men, right?"
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Gives Albert a weird look. Is he being hit on? Hm. Tyler wasn't one to say no, but something about doing it with Albert didn't sit right with him. It felt....gross. Weird. Not because Albert was gross or weird--he was very objectively aesthetically pleasing. But it made Tyler feel weird to think about Albert in that way .
.........Shrugs. Whatever.
"I've slept with men, so yeah." He guesses. "I don't really care. I don't think about it." ........................He remembers his talk with Adrian. He starts to worry Albert might be The Same.
".......Yes. Sure. I like men." "Why?"
..................................... "Actually Adrian and I. Talked about this. He's............................well you heard him. He....doesn't mean poorly. He's just.....ignorant.... "
Sighs and rubs the back of his neck. Happy thoughts, Tyler. Don't ruin the mood. "Sorry to hear about Jacob. It.....sucks. To find out that you got it all wrong. Uh, I hope things get better, though." Wow. uplifting tyler. incredible. all of alberts woes, solved! "I'm here if you ever want to talk about it." @hyu 👓 albert
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.........Shrugs. Whatever.
"I've slept with men, so yeah." He guesses. "I don't really care. I don't think about it." ........................He remembers his talk with Adrian. He starts to worry Albert might be The Same.
".......Yes. Sure. I like men." "Why?"
..................................... "Actually Adrian and I. Talked about this. He's............................well you heard him. He....doesn't mean poorly. He's just.....ignorant.... "
Sighs and rubs the back of his neck. Happy thoughts, Tyler. Don't ruin the mood. "Sorry to hear about Jacob. It.....sucks. To find out that you got it all wrong. Uh, I hope things get better, though." Wow. uplifting tyler. incredible. all of alberts woes, solved! "I'm here if you ever want to talk about it." @hyu 👓 albert
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"You too, huh........I guess you're right. I wouldn't expect this from adults. ...........Well, I guess everyone here is......Special. (derogatory) Nevermind." Albert included (affectionate), but he had Just Enough Tact to not vocalise that.
"Sure. Nobody has to say anything." Cocks his head. "Isn't it normal for friends to trust each other?" Unintentionally jabbing the knife in the wound "Guess it depends. As long as it works for you both ♂️" Thinking back to himself and Patrick lmfaOOO SORRY PAT.............
So, do you... like Adrian?
"No." He answered, flatly. "I don't like him in that way." He spoke like he was recounting the weather. He for a moment and Albert's last comment, though.
"I dunno. That's Adrian's business, not mine." Goes quiet. "..But if I had to guess, I don't think so....... He seemed....uncomfortable. Disgusted." Goes quiet again........................................... @hyu 👓 albert
"Guess it depends. As long as it works for you both ♂️" Thinking back to himself and Patrick lmfaOOO SORRY PAT.............
So, do you... like Adrian?
"No." He answered, flatly. "I don't like him in that way." He spoke like he was recounting the weather. He for a moment and Albert's last comment, though.
"I dunno. That's Adrian's business, not mine." Goes quiet. "..But if I had to guess, I don't think so....... He seemed....uncomfortable. Disgusted." Goes quiet again........................................... @hyu 👓 albert
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"It'll work out..." SIGHS. He takes another drag of his cigarette. God help them now.
"Okay, soooo, you just wanna help the guy out? Help him understand the..." Clears his throat. "Community. Or something like that. I guess friends can do that."
But he ends up frowning, dropping the cig to the ground before stomping it out. "Is he homophobic?" Albert asks in complete seriousness. "Or was... I don't know, he seemed to be trying to accept it at least, and you said you talked to him about it. I mean, he's pretty airheaded too sometimes." Is it okay to make assumptions about people he barely knows? Yes.
"Also, he's going to have a very tough time at the agency if he stays this clueless," he laughs. "But you're a good friend. He'll probably end up coming to you for advice on all that."
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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"It'll work out..." SIGHS. He takes another drag of his cigarette. God help them now.
"Okay, soooo, you just wanna help the guy out? Help him understand the..." Clears his throat. "Community. Or something like that. I guess friends can do that."
But he ends up frowning, dropping the cig to the ground before stomping it out. "Is he homophobic?" Albert asks in complete seriousness. "Or was... I don't know, he seemed to be trying to accept it at least, and you said you talked to him about it. I mean, he's pretty airheaded too sometimes." Is it okay to make assumptions about people he barely knows? Yes.
"Also, he's going to have a very tough time at the agency if he stays this clueless," he laughs. "But you're a good friend. He'll probably end up coming to you for advice on all that."
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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".................................I don't think I want that. ....Well, I don't know. It's.........."
Long, pained sigh.
He clenches his hands together, as if he were trying to break off his thumb. His eyes fixed intently on the scene, staring at nothing.
"I'm not the right person for this. I don't know what to say. I hate it. It's tiring. My words never reach; they're misinterpreted, ignored...."
"......I've been through this before. My brother was the same way. ....Not, about his sexuality. Just...he and Adrian think similarly. They both...hear what they want. Jump to conclusions, y'know. It's a pain in the ass trying to talk to them, because they don't listen. I already tried with my brother—I tried to convince him! I tried to help him, and I couldn't. I don't think I can help Adrian, either."
"I don't want to do this all over again."
His nails dug harder into his hand. He could feel his bones beneath them, making their form known under pressed skin.
"...................I don't want to give up on Adrian, either. I'm an idiot....I'm really an idiot......."
Gulps down a burning sensation rising through his throat. "It's my fault. I'm the one who jumped to conclusions. I thought we were friends, even though, frankly, I didn't know much about him. It was stupid of me... But I don't think he'd be able to see me as a friend if he knew I liked men. He'd assume I liked him, or was hitting on him. He'd never be able to trust me."
He inhales through his nose, taking in the brief silence. Allowing it to settle over him, and bring him closer to balance. "..............I'll keep trying. —to talk to him. Until he finds someone better......"
@hyu 👓 albert sorry that was long tyler is emo dont feel pressured to length match HELP just write whatever
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"........... Albert.......my brother is 28." Forest thinks. roughly around that age. Although, Tyler has no idea Albert is like , 40. He just assumes Albert is [vague gestures] age.
"Anyways.....thanks. You're right. I needed a reality check. You don't need to sugarcoat it, though. I did fail."
Hums. "...It's true, Adrian's pretty young." A fact Adrian reminded Tyler of Constantly due to his incessant interpretations of Tyler as a teenager 
"And....I guess his heart is in the right place. .....Sucks it has to be all of our problems, though."
Pauses, then 
. "Can you imagine him at a parade? You take him to a parade; I don't want any part of that. I don't want to give him more gay people he can show off his knowledge of 'the same-gender relationships' to and to tell how much he likes women. ♂️" @hyu 👓 albert
........... Albert.......my brother is 28." Forest thinks. roughly around that age. Although, Tyler has no idea Albert is like , 40. He just assumes Albert is [vague gestures] age.
"Anyways.....thanks. You're right. I needed a reality check. You don't need to sugarcoat it, though. I did fail."
Hums. "...It's true, Adrian's pretty young." A fact Adrian reminded Tyler of Constantly due to his incessant interpretations of Tyler as a teenager "And....I guess his heart is in the right place. .....Sucks it has to be all of our problems, though."
Pauses, then . "Can you imagine him at a parade? You take him to a parade; I don't want any part of that. I don't want to give him more gay people he can show off his knowledge of 'the same-gender relationships' to and to tell how much he likes women. ♂️" @hyu 👓 albert
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((Across the venue, Adrian sneezes.
Maybe someone was talking about him. Or maybe he was just getting cold. ))
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((maybe adrian should stop being a straight little fruit and his friend (singular) wouldnt have to talk about him))
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Tyler nodding, sagely. "400 years old. Got it. You look alright for your age, though. Keep your chin up." Tyler Teasing™️. this is the more authentic helger brother experience
Tyler rolls his eyes and crinkles his nose, but his tone is clearly playful. "You say that like I've fucked (redacted 4 li) him. If I did, I wouldn't be in this mess. ................Actually no. No, knowing him, he'd find some stupid way to look at it. Or some other stupid thing to latch onto. If I have to listen to him explain to me how he's researched s*x positions, I might die." Admittedly, it was a little endearing. A Tiny bit. A smidge. Mostly he was annoyed. But it was a little endeari- .
"Yeah..........." Trails off again. "I guess I just don't want to lose him as a friend." Shrugs. "Suppose there's not much I can do about it." Maybe he would tell Adrian that he liked men and rip the bandaid off. Maybe. @hyu 👓 albert
Tyler rolls his eyes and crinkles his nose, but his tone is clearly playful. "You say that like I've fucked (redacted 4 li) him. If I did, I wouldn't be in this mess. ................Actually no. No, knowing him, he'd find some stupid way to look at it. Or some other stupid thing to latch onto. If I have to listen to him explain to me how he's researched s*x positions, I might die." Admittedly, it was a little endearing. A Tiny bit. A smidge. Mostly he was annoyed. But it was a little endeari- .
"Yeah..........." Trails off again. "I guess I just don't want to lose him as a friend." Shrugs. "Suppose there's not much I can do about it." Maybe he would tell Adrian that he liked men and rip the bandaid off. Maybe. @hyu 👓 albert
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WHY ARE YOU AS ANOTHER MAN THINKING ABOUT THAT WITH ANOTHER MAN?
"Yeah? You must be like 10, then." He teases back. "And I'm 500, thank you very much." Man, he could go for another drink right now. He almost reaches for another cigarette, but decides against it, just to be courteous to his guest.
"Okay.... well, I don't know if you have or haven't yet, but I'd guess no," at least he doesn't have to give Tyler The Talk. "But, like I said. It's his problem if he doesn't want to be friends with you after... you know. You tell him stuff. Kid seems like he wouldn't just drop you after that anyway."
Albert is just speculating. Adrian seems like a good ally!
"But, if he says some shit to you, I'll go mess him up for you."
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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HELPPPPPP HE'S NOT EVEN REALLY THINKING ABOUT IT STOP HE SEES IT AS A MUNDANE ACTIVITY IM GONNA CRY. HE THINKS ALBERT INSTIGATED THIS.
"Uhm, according to Kylee, I'm 3, actually." Return volley snark. "Wowww 500....how do you keep up with all of our newfangled tech. 
Hey, what was the world like before the Anomaly?" Though he said it as a tease, his last question was . perhaps a bit too honest. a bit too revealing, if you knew what to look for
"Tch..I'm not worried about being dropped. It's that awkward middle ground I don't want. Where he's just pretending to be my friend, but he secretly thinks I'm weird. I just want him to be honest with me."
Accepts Albert's attempts to lighten the mood and nudges him with his shoulders. "Thanks, bro. ....Uh, me too." He holds up his twig arm. 
It's not very impressive, but the thought is there. @hyu 👓 albert
Hey, what was the world like before the Anomaly?" Though he said it as a tease, his last question was . perhaps a bit too honest. a bit too revealing, if you knew what to look for
"Tch..I'm not worried about being dropped. It's that awkward middle ground I don't want. Where he's just pretending to be my friend, but he secretly thinks I'm weird. I just want him to be honest with me."
Accepts Albert's attempts to lighten the mood and nudges him with his shoulders. "Thanks, bro. ....Uh, me too." He holds up his twig arm. It's not very impressive, but the thought is there. @hyu 👓 albert
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"You're a fucking toddler," he laughs, putting an arm around Tyler and pulling him into a side hug. "I know everything, so it's not hard. Life was great, you know. Chilling with the dinosaurs or something." Okay, dinosaurs were not around 500 years ago, but still.
"Oh, I guess that's a possibility. Fake people are everywhere." It probably does not help, but Albert's charisma lies in his outgoing and friendly personality, not advice-giving. "But I'm hoping for the best. For you and your scrawny arms."
He gives him a noogie, now that he's trapped in his arm. "All right, let's get back inside before people start putting up missing posters of us."
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"Yeah, I get that a lot." 
his pain. "Wow dinosaurs.... That actually sounds like a pain in the ass. So, what killed them? Was it you?"
"Thanks..........I'm hoping for the best for you and JesusLover too. For you and your ridiculously large arms." He means that one sincerely, too.
Snorts. "I doubt they'd notice me gone. But I know you're old and senile, so I'll walk you back to the party anyways, grandpa. Maybe there's still some prune juice left."
@hyu 👓 albert crying on da floor in da club they make me so HRHRGRGHRGHGHJ
his pain. "Wow dinosaurs.... That actually sounds like a pain in the ass. So, what killed them? Was it you?"
"Thanks..........I'm hoping for the best for you and JesusLover too. For you and your ridiculously large arms." He means that one sincerely, too.
Snorts. "I doubt they'd notice me gone. But I know you're old and senile, so I'll walk you back to the party anyways, grandpa. Maybe there's still some prune juice left."
@hyu 👓 albert crying on da floor in da club they make me so HRHRGRGHRGHGHJ
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"Yep, it was me. With my big arms." He flexes, but he has average strength so it's.... average. "A prune juice for me, and a sippy cup of apple juice for you. Sounds good!" And off they go... two meowmeows.
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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Saif: "Well, I--" Oh. He decided to actually hold them. Saif had neither been expecting it, nor were they prepared for it. They flushed immediately, and hoped the lighting outside was too dim to notice. They stiffened, awkward, unsure whether to polite return the hug or simply wait it out. In the end, their autopilot won out, hesitant laughter falling from their lips as the lifted a hand to pat Patrick's arm twice as their only form of reciprocity. "I... I guess I am in good hands, then." They felt so embarrassed. They hoped he got the joke.
Saif looked at him curiously, wondering if his statement was with regard to only one of those suggestions, or all three. From a surface level assessment, Patrick did not seem like a liar, but Saif had been wrong about such an analysis before. Perhaps working in this place would sharpen their eye that which did indicate such a quality in character. "It is a shame you weren't there, nonetheless. I did have to drink a few times, though I was not drinking anything alcoholic." That may have been for the best, considering how much everyone seemed to be loosening up from the alcohol. Saif didn't mind it in others, but they wanted to avoid it at all costs in themselves, among such a setting.
The corner of their mouth lifted with Patrick asked why they were outside. It was the second time tonight, and they wondered if they gave the impression of someone who would prefer crowds, or would otherwise always be surrounded by other people. Saif could not think of a time their entire life where companionship of any kind was commonplace, and so being alone, out here, was more familiar a feeling than being inside.
But familiar was all it was; it was not a feeling they liked nor preferred. They really should have asked someone to come out with them, but with how hesitant they were to approach any of their coworkers to make requests of them... it hadn't crossed their mind.
"Not at all," they answered breezily. "The party has been very enjoyable. Though I am a bit more of an outdoors person than I am one who likes to stay inside. The garden is very beautiful, as well." Their nose scrunched up when Patrick touched it, and they quelled the gut instinct to immediately pull away. "Well, I assumed you had your reasons. I am glad to see you, in any case." They paused, then asked, "The party was not too much for you, was it?"
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick
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There was an error performing the operation. Please report this to the support server if issues persist. (50035)
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Fashionably late, a rare white vehicle makes its way around the roundabout surrounding the entry fountain to the night's event. As if fitted for the event as well, the wax finish on it's paint and rubber glinted under the streetlamps, rugged tires turn to a stop, the ground beneath the car gripping and grinding on the new rubber. The driver's door swings open, a black dress shoe twists onto the asphalt and echoes the tires just before it. Out steps a man with a brooding disposition, his brows fixed naturally furrowed. One, two, three, steps and strides to the passenger side of the vehicle. His gloved hand hugs the handle of the car with comfortable friction and opens the door, the other- holding out for another gloved hand.
"Much appreciated." A voice from inside the car speaks, the owner finally emerging from her shelter from the lights.
Out walks Castell, brown locks gently curled behind her. A dangerously worn piece of silk draped over her body held carefully together by her gold accessories.
She had no intention of showing up tonight- but a last minute decision was made and here she was.
"Make the call." she ordered the gruff man. He needs to know she has arrived. Pulling out her phone from his inner pocket, he dials her desired recipient and hands her the phone.
Crossing her arms, she holds the cell up to her ear and smiles. "Kylik dearest, I've arrived. Be a dear and come pick me up from the front now won't you?" she hangs up, without waiting for a proper response from the man, tossing her phone into her grunt's direction and turns back to face the entrance.
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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The night has definitely been, eventful - in many ways Kylik would like nothing more than to crawl his way back home, pass out, and pretend like this was all some, long extended dream he will not have to face the consequences of - but.
Well - he owes Castell a dance.
He straightens himself out as much as possible, tries to shake off the night's occurances, and moves himself to the entrance as he was called to do. Seeing her standing there, like a dream come to life - for a moment it's as if no time has passed at all.
It's a familiar routine, a reprise gone unsung for ages - and yet as he makes his way over, step by step, takes Castell's gloved hand like he's done it every day for the past ten years, presses a soft reverent kiss to the fabric - it's as natural as breathing.
This old dog hasn't forgotten the tricks it was taught.
"..........Shall we?" His voice is warm, indulgent. He takes her arm, takes his place by her side, and leads her to the dance floor.
@reina | castell
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@shelfy 🍀 Patrick @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ please react with if you're ready to close room, feel free to take it to DMs!
if you're ready to close room, feel free to take it to DMs!
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LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / garden
Original message was deleted.
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When Saif thought of previous work parties an events they had gone to, it almost felt like a lifetime ago. They had always been accustomed to the usual glitz and lux that came with these types of functions-- and in some aspects, they had always liked them too. They felt much more comfortable here, though, without the pressure of making the party into a job too; here, they could just relax and get to know their coworkers, with nothing on the line.
Though that was the intention, and perhaps would come later on in the night, Saif found themself drawn to the view of the garden, stepping into the cool night air. Their curiosity had been piqued by the roses, a flower they had always been interested in growing, but never got the chance. Saif bent to look at them more closely, turning the head of a rose over in their hand, tracing their thumb along the petals. They released it from their grasp before wandering a little further, now somewhat lost in thought.
(saif otome route now open anyone feel free to come bother them )
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She loved parties with all her heart, she really did. But as the guests trickled in, she finds herself in quiet pockets of the garden. Perhaps it reminded her of her childhood, with Solanales party guests drifting around in her periphery among white statues and topiaries. Pulling herself aside as she did back then served as a sort of breath- the same kind taken to the side as a freestyle swimmer.
Among the roses she finds a familiar face. Saif El Nesr in attire that suited the backdrop. "Good evening Saif! If there were cameras around, I'd think you were in the middle of a Cover shoot." She strode over to their side, reaching out to graze a finger over the open petals of one of the roses- not that she could feel much. @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ ((comes to bother Saif 
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Jamie arrived at the party venue a bit late, as usual. Or was she actually on time? She couldn’t really remember when the whole event was supposed to start, and there were already people mingling around when she got there, but the food didn’t seem to be out just yet… She’s just gonna assume she got here at just the right moment.
After she dropped off her bag with the camera gear at whatever secure place there is at the venue (dressing room? coat check?), her wandering about somehow led her to the garden of all places. It was a nice place though! Very idyllic with the roses and all. Maybe it’d be a nice place for some photo-taking, but that’s for later. She should maybe meet some people first.
… Speaking of, she wasn’t alone here it seems! Two other people had the same idea as her, having a conversation further down the path. She even recognizes one of them, from the observatory, from a while ago? But looking at them, she comes to the realization that she’s Severely Under-dressed for the occasion, her jacket specifically making her look like she’d just rolled out of bed. Maybe she should, not disturb them.
((hope y'all don't mind this cryptid sliding in for a bit @mei | cerise @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ ))
((hope y'all don't mind this cryptid sliding in for a bit @mei | cerise @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ ))
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"A fairy tale? ..As the witch, right?" She let out an easy laugh. She certainly wasn't dressed in "princess" colors, so naturally...
But it wasn't meant as self-jab. "I'll be the witch that gives out candy apples. "
She leaned slightly into Saif's whisper, playing into the conspiratorial act. "I'm counting on you then." Her smile deepens slightly up in her eyes.
Cerise leans down to smell the rose she's been petting. "They are! They caught my eye when I was shopping around for venues. I'm glad you're enjoying them as well... But, I do wonder, if anything else brings you here? Are you not one for crowds?"
As she makes chatter with Saif, her gaze shifts slightly to the faintest of rustles nearby. A presence? She takes the opportunity to joke, "Ah, speaking of, we may have manifested the paparazzi." @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @pepo 📸 jamie
"
She leaned slightly into Saif's whisper, playing into the conspiratorial act. "I'm counting on you then." Her smile deepens slightly up in her eyes.
Cerise leans down to smell the rose she's been petting. "They are! They caught my eye when I was shopping around for venues. I'm glad you're enjoying them as well... But, I do wonder, if anything else brings you here? Are you not one for crowds?"
As she makes chatter with Saif, her gaze shifts slightly to the faintest of rustles nearby. A presence? She takes the opportunity to joke, "Ah, speaking of, we may have manifested the paparazzi." @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @pepo 📸 jamie
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Oh no, she was actually spotted. She briefly considers going back inside as if nothing happened, but that would just make things more awkward. Or make her seem rude, which she wasn't (hopefully). She gives a lil awkward wave as she approaches the two.
"Sorry if I interrupted anything, didn't mean to. Just wanted to, catch some air." She gives a little nod to Cerise, would she even remember her from the Park event?
@mei | cerise @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ (NO WORRIES TAKE YOUR TIME Y'ALL I might actually peace out to bed soon so )
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She nods at Saif's statement. Whether it was a drawn out joke or not, she welcomed the idea. Theater was familiar to her. Were stage plays much different from acting on camera? Perhaps a little, but it seemed like a fun challenge, she mused.
Though Saif's words could be said out of politeness, she appreciated the reassurance regardless. "It means much that you believe in me- I hope I may channel that into real success."
Momentarily after Jamie joins them, Cerise hears "*Damn, Solanales-*" coming from a voice she's heard at least once every weekday. Where was it coming from?? The vague direction of the photobooth? Wow sound really carries in this garden.
"Ah, looks like I'm needed elsewhere. Sorry to depart as soon as you've joined us Jamie... But, that being said, please feel free to join me near the photobooth if you'd like," she gives a departing smile to Saif and Jamie, extending the invitation to them both.
@
Azure 
Saif @pepo 
jamie [Cerise exits for now!]
Azure Saif @pepo jamie [Cerise exits for now!]
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Their words were making her feel a little bit more comfortable, but she still felt awkward. Just a little bit. But that's all on Jamie, she just has to, rewire her brain. This is just like a regular day at the office, except everyone is wearing very nice clothes and you're someplace else. Just Relax @ herself.
"It's nice seeing you too, again. I've been alright-" It's all she was able to say to Cerise before she had to leave, apparently being called by someone? She gives her a quick little wave, one more meeting of theirs cut short. Some day they'll have a proper conversation.
"Oh, Jamie. Jamie Swanson." She turns her attention towards Saif now, returning the handshake. "We might've seen each other at the office, I think. But I'm glad to make your acquaintance now, properly." She puts on a faint smile.
@mei | cerise @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ (SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG SENDS YOU BOTH A KISS)
"Oh, Jamie. Jamie Swanson." She turns her attention towards Saif now, returning the handshake. "We might've seen each other at the office, I think. But I'm glad to make your acquaintance now, properly." She puts on a faint smile.
@mei | cerise @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ (SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG SENDS YOU BOTH A KISS)
(( ITS OK SORRY I POPPED OUT FOR A HOT MINUTE! ))
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Ernest had had a good meal, as plain and odd as it was. At least, he thought. Maybe he shouldn’t have had, like. Four or five cans of beer on an empty stomach followed immediately by watery mystery noodles and a cig.
He needed air really bad all of a sudden. Really bad. He’d finished off his cigarette by the time he’d gotten out of the kitchen, coast luckily clear, but a pit of anxiety began to well up within him as he re-entered the main room. A sorta anxiety that another cig wouldn’t fix- deep within his chest and stomach. Like he couldn’t breathe. So he quickly makes a break for the garden in order to calm down- getting nervous only made it worse. But as his eyes searched for somewhere to hide, well…
Behind the gazebo, Ernest keels over and vomits. He holds back his tie so that Parker doesn’t kill him for his stupid actions later. He’s quiet for someone who was heaving quite heavily- coughing and coughing into a patch of soiled grass. Disgusting.
(hi guys!)
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With Cerise's departure, Saif nodded and waved her off. "Don't cast too many spells while you are out there," they said to her retreating figure. ( @mei | cerise CERISE MENTION sorry itsl ike 28934 hrs later)
Turning back to Jamie, Saif smiled. "Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am sure we have crossed paths before, but I am still working on getting to know everyone."
They were preparing to make another comment before, with a slight shift of their weight, the moonlight bounced off something and caught their eye-- and they realized it was the glint of a camera underneath Jamie's jacket. Curiosity piqued, they gestured toward the item with a nod of their chin, saying, "Do you do photography?" Their expression lit up at the prospect, as they had not had the opportunity to meet a professional photographer before, but had attempted to try it themself when they were younger-- though it never came out as well as they would have liked. "That is quite an admirable skill to have. How long have you been doing it?"
As they were talking to Jamie, motion caught their attention in the corner of their eye behind the gazebo, which they had not been standing far from. At first, they were going to think nothing of it-- just another colleague out for a night stroll-- until the focused on the figure more intently, and realized it was Ernest. In the middle of. Throwing up. All over the rosebushes. 
"Um..." Saif looked back at Jamie, gesturing towards Ernest a little ways away in the midst of struggling to keep his insides on his inside. "I hope you do not mind but-- I just want to check on an acquaintance for a moment. You can accompany me of course, if you like, but-- I am a little concerned."
After giving Jamie an apologetic smile, Saif began making their way towards Ernest, slowing as the came up next to him. The smell of alcohol was immediately apparent, and that was all they needed to figure out what might have been going on. "Ernest? Are you alright?" They lightly touched a hand to his back, fingertips barely brushing the fabric, hoping that they wouldn't startle him too much.
@pepo 📸 jamie @li 📽 ernie
"Um..." Saif looked back at Jamie, gesturing towards Ernest a little ways away in the midst of struggling to keep his insides on his inside. "I hope you do not mind but-- I just want to check on an acquaintance for a moment. You can accompany me of course, if you like, but-- I am a little concerned."
After giving Jamie an apologetic smile, Saif began making their way towards Ernest, slowing as the came up next to him. The smell of alcohol was immediately apparent, and that was all they needed to figure out what might have been going on. "Ernest? Are you alright?" They lightly touched a hand to his back, fingertips barely brushing the fabric, hoping that they wouldn't startle him too much.
@pepo 📸 jamie @li 📽 ernie
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"Oh-" She actually forgot she still had the little thing around her neck, she was sure she left it with her bag inside the venue. Doesn't really matter now though. She gently pulls the camera out from underneath her jacket. "Yeah, it's a hobby- Well, a bit more than a hobby... But yeah I do photography. Uhh..." She pauses for a brief moment at Saif's question and quickly counts on her fingers, her head slightly tilted to the side. "I've been at it for about 4 years. I think. Started as a hobby, though I've been trying to do some freelance work, I guess you could call it. Just something extra on the side, y'know."
She looked towards Saif, unsure what they were talking about at first, until they also caught sight of the figure by the gazebo... throwing up. So we're at that stage of the event, huh.
"Y-yeah no worries," she nods, totally understanding what they meant, and then very shortly follows after them. Another pair of helping hands might not hurt, in case it's something serious.
She peers at Ernest from behind Saif, trying her best to not make the poor guy feel overwhelmed by people suddenly gathering around him. "... You doing alright there, bud? "
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @li 📽 ernie
"Y-yeah no worries," she nods, totally understanding what they meant, and then very shortly follows after them. Another pair of helping hands might not hurt, in case it's something serious.
She peers at Ernest from behind Saif, trying her best to not make the poor guy feel overwhelmed by people suddenly gathering around him. "... You doing alright there, bud? "
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @li 📽 ernie
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Very Understandably, she gives a quick wave to Ernest as he leaves. She might, try and keep a lookout for him, just to do a little check-up on how things are with him, at a later point. Just in case. @li 📽 ernie
Oh, right, her and Saif were in the middle of a conversation before this whole Thing happened. She doesn't remember the last time someone called her Miss. She's also still not really used to people asking her about 'hobbies' like this. "A variety of things, really." She gives it a little bit more thought - what does she like the most tho? "I guess city life? Interesting people and places I come across... things I'd want to remember." That came out a bit more 'deep thought'-y than anticipated, but it's more or less the truth. Photos as a quasi-physical proof of the past always intrigued her as a concept.
She was quickly pulled out of her thoughts by Cerise's return, which was announced by the sound of her heels clicking on the pavement. "Ah, you actually came back-" She's not really sure why she was surprised by that.
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @mei | cerise (SORRY I MIGHT BE GOING TO BED VERY SOON THO,, I'll be able to reply next in like,, 8-ish hours 
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Jamie was just a little bit flustered by Saif listening to her to intently, and even Cerise expressing interest in it, but it was... nice, in a way. "Oh, yeah, the garden would definitely make for a nice backdrop. The gazebo too... Oh. Wait, actually-" The idea suddenly hits her and she pulls the camera out again from her jacket, showing it to the two of them.
"We can make the little cover shoot a reality, if you'd want to? As a little commemoration for the event! It'd be real quick too, just enough time for the first crowd to thin out a bit. " She almost forgot about the food, it'd be a shame to miss it.
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @mei | cerise
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... and right into the garden. Just passing through, please ignore him, he'll just be dropping in for a minute.
"They said I needed to confess my love as part of a dare, but we're all playing so it's not like you wouldn't be able to figure it out." @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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[DEX: 15] Behind a bush, a rat is Watching ️ ♂️
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Ah. "I'll pretend to be .. shocked." @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"You're the first person I thought of--" he jumps to another channel, thank you all for entertaining this.
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A faint blush spreads across Jamie's face at Cerise's wink. Why do attractive people make her feel like this. She hops a few steps back and positions herself to get a good shot of both of them, as well as the garden backdrop. She briefly checks her pockets after Saif's comment, but doesn't find what she's looking for.
"A-ah, I don't have the, uh, timer thingy on me right now, but i-it's fine! Don't worry!" She must've left the self-timer in her bag inside the venue, but it'd take too much time to go and grab it. She doesn't mind it though, being in front of the camera feels too awkward to her anyway.
"Now, give me your best smiles!" As the shutter clicks, she makes a mental note to herself to develop the film as soon as possible. She'll bring the photos to the office when it's all done.
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @mei | cerise (I'M PROBABLY GOING TO BED NOW SO WE CAN PROBABLY BRING THE RP TO A CLOSE,, SENDS YOU BOTH A KISS!!)
She hops a few steps back and positions herself to get a good shot of both of them, as well as the garden backdrop. She briefly checks her pockets after Saif's comment, but doesn't find what she's looking for.
"A-ah, I don't have the, uh, timer thingy on me right now, but i-it's fine! Don't worry!" She must've left the self-timer in her bag inside the venue, but it'd take too much time to go and grab it. She doesn't mind it though, being in front of the camera feels too awkward to her anyway.
"Now, give me your best smiles!" As the shutter clicks, she makes a mental note to herself to develop the film as soon as possible. She'll bring the photos to the office when it's all done.
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @mei | cerise (I'M PROBABLY GOING TO BED NOW SO WE CAN PROBABLY BRING THE RP TO A CLOSE,, SENDS YOU BOTH A KISS!!)
@pepo 📸 jamie @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @mei | cerise please react with if you're ready to close room, you're free to take it to DMs !
if you're ready to close room, you're free to take it to DMs !
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LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / kitchen
Original message was deleted.
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Jericho is also in the kitchen, hard at work helping prepare all the lobsters. He’s dressed quite simply with an apron on top as a precaution. There’s a change of clothes he has stored away—not because he plans on mingling at this stupid party for long, but if he’s going to say hello to Cerise he would prefer it not being while he’s dressed like a housewife.
There’s a frown of concentration on his face as he transfers a freshly cooked lobster. As such, he doesn’t notice the person stumbling towards him until its too late.
Thankfully the stranger has the reflexes to catch him, but the lobster isn’t so lucky as it goes sailing through the air and striking an innocent passerby.
“MY LOBSTER!!!” Jericho yells in despair. “Do you know how much that cost you idiot—get your hands off of me!!” He’s quick to shove the person away and fix an extremely hostile glare on him.
@flan 🦋 june @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
There’s a frown of concentration on his face as he transfers a freshly cooked lobster. As such, he doesn’t notice the person stumbling towards him until its too late.
Thankfully the stranger has the reflexes to catch him, but the lobster isn’t so lucky as it goes sailing through the air and striking an innocent passerby.
“MY LOBSTER!!!” Jericho yells in despair. “Do you know how much that cost you idiot—get your hands off of me!!” He’s quick to shove the person away and fix an extremely hostile glare on him.
@flan 🦋 june @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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Social gatherings were… very painfully… very obviously… not his cup of tea. Introverted at heart, and socially awkward beyond saving, Luciel feels exhausted even being in a crowded area. However… he really wanted to try his best this time to mingle with his coworkers. Plus, Lullaby so kindly invited him to this festivity… he wasn’t very use to people reaching out to him like this, so he had to at least try.
Predictively, Luciel wasn’t… sure what he was suppose to do once he arrived. It seemed as if some found their own groups already and… well, glancing at the bar, he wasn’t much of a drinker. He didn’t want to just stand there, so perhaps he could make himself useful elsewhere…
The kitchen was just the first place he stumbled upon. Maybe someone needed help with something here? And assistance was needed alright… considering a whole lobster was almost hurled towards him once he entered the room.
1d20=17 The shellfish was successfully caught. Although… because it was just cooked… it was… burning his hands…
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The shove didn't do much as he stood there in shock, eyes close to tears. "Wh-" He felt a heavy sensation come through, curdling deep inside his gut as he peered into piercing turquoise eyes. Idiot... June's mind retreated away to some distant shore away from Jericho's scolding. Oh how reckless he was. "S--"
Before he could apologize profusely for his recklessness, he catches glimpse of an unwary passerby. With their swift yet seemingly delicate hands, they caught the piping hot crustacean with great fortitude. Without skipping a beat he drew himself forward, grabbing the lobster from their hand and tossing it back on the platter in Jericho's hand. "NO- your hands!! ... your hands-- are you okay??" He cries at Luciel in panic.
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“Hey!” Jericho lets out a cry of indignation when the lobster is thrown roughly back on the platter. He follows June to see the person who caught the shellfish and—Luciel. His scowl deepens.
“Standing there crying and holding his hands won’t do anything, you fool,” he snaps. He places the platter down on a nearby empty counter with an aggressive clang and turns on the sink. He checks the water to make sure its cool without being too cold and turns to the two. “Run your hands under the water, Luciel.” As he speaks to the pink-haired man, he shoots another dark glare at the stranger. He’s not even close to done being mad.
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel @flan 🦋 june
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Before he could properly react to the lobster’s final revenge, i.e. burning the hands of someone who would very much be keen on eating it, it was removed as quickly as it had appeared. Although it hurt, Luciel’s expression barely showed signs of a reaction—blinking slowly before looking at June’s panicked state. “Ah… I’m… fine…” well, he really wasn’t, but he thought it was awful kind of the stranger to fret over him… honestly they seemed to be more worried than he was.
Not that the scorching shell didn’t make him at least wince, but noticing Jericho’s scowl towards him hurt just a little bit more. Had he done something to upset him again…? Well… he supposes getting mildly injured after entering a room wasn’t the most… ideal thing. But then.. a flicker of kindness (basic human decency more like it…) as Jericho turned on the sink and instructed him to run his hands under the cool water. Perhaps this gesture didn’t mean he was mad at him after all..?
“Thank you…” he softly nodded before turning to the stranger. “I think I’ll be fine… thank you as well… pardon for touching the food with my bare hands…” treating the burn he went—!
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A wave of fear rushed down his spine upon receiving the deadly glare. June remembers he was on the verge of tears before intercepting the lobster from burning his cohort's hand further. He finds himself in the center of a brewing storm, becoming the receiving end of Jericho's lightning bolt.
Of course- his emotions make him so irrational. Thankfully someone logical like Jericho was amongst them. He looks down at his own burnt palms and brushes them to his side. Fool. Walking toward lobster savior Luciel, he hands him a clean towel to wrap his hands. "Lobsters are replaceable... your hands are not.." June directs his gaze back at the aproned man. "But I still do apologize for my clumsiness... I'll do anything to help you fix up the lobster--" He sheepishly eyes Jericho.
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“It’s fine,” Jericho replies curtly to Luciel. He’d only touched the shell after all. It’s technically still edible thanks to him (although he plans to set it aside to give to someone he doesn’t like. Like Kylik).
He narrows his eyes at the other man apologizing and folds his arms, looking every bit the part of a disdainful teacher. “Is that so?”
“Luckily for both of us you don’t have to do anything. But I must question whether you should even be allowed in the kitchen with the “grace” that you have.” He huffs and looks disdainfully at his out of place silk suit. This man belonged by the bar, not behind a frying pan. “What’s your name?”
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel @flan 🦋 june
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All this time and Kylik still hasn't gotten to eat any lobster...This Shit Is So Sad. Not that he came here just to stuff his face, but - well. He wouldn't lie and say the free meal wasn't a large part of the draw. That and - well. People he-
(He is turning his brain off right now, He Is Not Thinking He Is Going To Eat And Definitely Not Think. Everything is Normal And Fine.)
The last time he had checked the food was....somewhere - but the kitchens seemed like a good place to look for something to fill his stomach. And so he pushes open the doors and looks around - it seems that...cooking time had finished, with only a couple of pots remaining on the stoves.
....Where....was the food?
He walked between the counters, peering into the pots, which were all empty except for - ah? Was this...some kind of soup? Kylik stuck a finger into the pot, touching the lukewarm liquid that was almost clear. Hm. Salty? And just a little fishy....
He supposed it would do, he thought, as he took another sip of the leftover lobster boil water. Hmm. Weird soup.
He kept drinking.
He walked between the counters, peering into the pots, which were all empty except for - ah? Was this...some kind of soup? Kylik stuck a finger into the pot, touching the lukewarm liquid that was almost clear. Hm. Salty? And just a little fishy....
He supposed it would do, he thought, as he took another sip of the leftover lobster boil water. Hmm. Weird soup.
He kept drinking.
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Okay. So. Definitely steering clear from Adrian for the rest of the night, and. Well. Forever, indefinitely- until he could explain to him convincingly enough that he and everyone's favorite lawyer weren't having actual illicit affairs. Just................. funny made up... ones......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Ernest heaves the pack of beer and his now stocked-up plate into the kitchen. The food was cold and he didn't think he'd bother to heat it even if there were appliances to do so, he just wanted a counter to hide behind or something so people wouldn't ask about his neck or look at it. Or talk to him in general. Or look at him. At least until he had the mental energy for it.
So he makes his way in, ready to plop down somewhere, and sees a guy tasting the remnants of the lobster boiling water.
"Um."
Ooookay.
"Um."
Ooookay.
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Kylik is, drinking his depression soup, when he's interrupted by a familiar face - who is conveniently carrying a plate of food, and a pack of beer.
"............Oh." It took a moment, but Kylik remembers why Ernest looks familiar now. "You're.....Hot dog guy. Hey."
He blinks, realizing he's being stared at, and turns back to his "soup", before looking towards HotDogGuy yet again.
".....Did you...want some?" Maybe they could do a trade....
@li 📽 ernie
@li 📽 ernie
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"....Oh." Kylik gives a small grin. It's low energy in here tonight, boys. "...Thanks." He takes a biscuit and breaks it in half, chewing slowly as he nods.
"....Yeah." He agrees, in a simple fashion. Even before this, Kylik wasn't one to revel in crowds. He gives a shrug and then a small laugh. "...I don't really do...parties. Especially not with the...." He does a half-hearted spirit fingers gesture with his free hand. Presumable to mean, fancy shmancy dress code. "...Probably wouldn't even have come if it wasn't for-" He waves the half of the biscuit he took from Ernest's plate.
"-y'know."
He takes another bite.
".... and look at me, now......leeching off of you."
A pause. A swallow.
"....Sorry....About that."
@li 📽 ernie
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Ernest's eyes follow Kylik's various flourishes as he talked. He places the package down next to him, sits down on the tile, cracks a lukewarm one.
"....Dude, it's a biscuit. It's not even mine. It's totally fine," He snorts. "You wouldn't call me a leech if I did the same to you, would you? Have more. I can go grab more." He places the plate down next to him on the floor. He kinda felt like when he was in grammar school, having lunch out on the yard on the concrete. Ants crawling everywhere. Except this sucked worse, for completely different reasons.
And he... doesn't really have anything more to say about that.
"You can have a beer if you want, too. They're not mine either." He takes a sip and snorts. "Suit isn't even mine," he remarks sardonically.
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"....Yeah.....Thanks." It's just a word, but the gratitude is genuine. Kylik sits down with Ernest, and gives a slightly more relaxed smile as he reaches over to grab a beer. Usually - he wouldn't. But today. He thinks he deserves one.
He cracks the newly aquired drink open, and takes a long swig. "....Same."
"...about the suit. I mean." He fingers the navy coat he's wearing with a depreciative smile. "....Well. It was. a gift I guess." Another sip. "But sure doesn't feel...mine. Like I could ever afford something like this if I worked for ten years straight." There's a bitterness to that.
He looks up at the sound of a new voice - and follows Ernest in giving Xunyi a wave. "....Hey. We're, uh. Down here." Sitting in his very expensive suit with his ass on the ground. Shit. Right. For a second Kylik's tempted to get up, but - what's the point in that now? God, He's an idiot.
He takes another drink.
"....There's ....still some soup left, if you want it. Tastes kinda...weird though."
@li 📽 ernie @meow | xunyi
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He would say thanks again, but hes feeling a little repetive. He gives Xunyi a thumbs up as well. "....I'm not picky." As evidenced by . drinking the lobster water. "...Go for it. If you need, uh - help. I'll do my best." He was not a chef. But he could probably? stand? and do things? If asked.
He raises his drink at Ernest, before - pausing for a split second - not...soup? Aha. HotDogGuy is probably just talking about some other. water. Right. He finishes his sip.
"...Smoke away." He actually finds the smell, comforting, usually. It reminds him of. a different time and place. Familiarity. Ernest's words remind him of something also - even if their harsh tone makes him want to flinch.
"...Y'know, I used to do - the same thing. With my brother." He's also, not looking at Ernest anymore. "Pick out, shit clothes. And then he'd have to wear them and they'd fit all wrong." After that, he takes a longgggg drink. God. Almost empty already. He grabs another from the pack, forgetting that he was only supposed to have One.
@li 📽 ernie @meow | xunyi
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"Yeah go ahead." Xunyi responds as they continue to open and close all the cabinets. How were there this many pots and bowls and plates and so little actual food? Depressing. And ah..now Kylik's talking about personal things like siblings and stuff.
"Noodles." Xunyi announces suddenly, with slight triumph, tossing a half used bag of pasta onto the counter. It must have been leftovers that got looked over during cleanup. Actually, half-used was an overstatement. There were barely any pasta left at all. Nonetheless, Xunyi fills an empty pot with water and turns on the stove, a spring in their movements.
@li 📽 ernie @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
"Noodles." Xunyi announces suddenly, with slight triumph, tossing a half used bag of pasta onto the counter. It must have been leftovers that got looked over during cleanup. Actually, half-used was an overstatement. There were barely any pasta left at all. Nonetheless, Xunyi fills an empty pot with water and turns on the stove, a spring in their movements.
@li 📽 ernie @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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Ernest kicks his legs back, a quiet yesss escaping his lips.
He takes out his pack of cigs, fumbles one out, wedges it between his lips and grabs his lighter.
"Thank you Xunyiii," Ernest drones, in the singsongy way kindergarteners made kids do. He flicks his lighter a couple of times, shielding the cig so that the smoke wouldn't waft up too quickly. He sucks in, and is content to switch between the cigarette and his drink.
"Used to- Sorry for bringing up sore shit," Ernest multitasks between the various things he was consuming at the same time. "At least we're eating good now, haha," he laughs, but it comes out somewhat wry. "This is the best paying job I've had iinnnn...." He looks up at the ceiling. "A longass time. And still no suit or carr."
"So how's everyone's nights been, squires?"
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @meow | xunyi
"So how's everyone's nights been, squires?"
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @meow | xunyi
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Kylik clinks his drink against Ernest's, "....It's fine. We have...noodles now." To soothe the pain of, you know, depressing shit. "...Or. We will. Soon?" Praise be to Xunyi.
He nods, in agreement yet again. "....Cheers to that. We don't even - really...do that much, do we?" In comparison to the rest of Kylik's jobs, at least. "....Kinda fucked up." The less work you do, the more money you make? The law is inside out, the world is upside down - explains why rich people have so much time to sit around and throw...extravagant parties though.
He considers Ernest's question.
"Okay." A pause. "...Kissed a friend." He takes a long ass drink. He didn't plan on saying that. "...How about you?"
@li 📽 ernie @meow | xunyi
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Clink clink bitches! 
"Soo fucked up. Not that I'm complainin' though." Ernest sips too much of his drink and ends up hacking a bit. "Cough cough- That pyramid (?) in the park was fucked though. I thought I was gonna die."
He half-watches Xunyi shuffle around, but mostly focuses on the sounds that that produced instead.
"Oh, what?" Ernest deadpanned, but that seemed to actually garner quite some genuine interest despite of his tone of voice. "I did something stupid and now everyone thinks me and my friend are gay lovers." He points are the red mark on his neck that was there to stay.
"I just thought it would be funny!" He looks into his drink, droning on without even being asked to elaborate. "'Cause he's always super funny and has something surprising or smart to say, and I dunno, I was trying to.... not impress him, but try to make everything chill. I was.. trying to be like him. And stuff." Actually, thinking about it just forced him to think more about it, in ways he didn't really want to. He wedges his cig between his middle and index finger, and covers his face.
"He's not mad at me now, but..." if that bastard Liu snitches.... or someone starts to spread rumors.... "He will be."
He takes another chuff of his dart.
"...What kinda noodles are you making?" He looks up at Xunyi, still sulky.
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @meow | xunyi
"Soo fucked up. Not that I'm complainin' though." Ernest sips too much of his drink and ends up hacking a bit. "Cough cough- That pyramid (?) in the park was fucked though. I thought I was gonna die."
He half-watches Xunyi shuffle around, but mostly focuses on the sounds that that produced instead.
"Oh, what?" Ernest deadpanned, but that seemed to actually garner quite some genuine interest despite of his tone of voice. "I did something stupid and now everyone thinks me and my friend are gay lovers." He points are the red mark on his neck that was there to stay.
"I just thought it would be funny!" He looks into his drink, droning on without even being asked to elaborate. "'Cause he's always super funny and has something surprising or smart to say, and I dunno, I was trying to.... not impress him, but try to make everything chill. I was.. trying to be like him. And stuff." Actually, thinking about it just forced him to think more about it, in ways he didn't really want to. He wedges his cig between his middle and index finger, and covers his face.
"He's not mad at me now, but..." if that bastard Liu snitches.... or someone starts to spread rumors.... "He will be."
He takes another chuff of his dart.
"...What kinda noodles are you making?" He looks up at Xunyi, still sulky.
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @meow | xunyi
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Kylik looks towards Xunyi, noodle maker extraordinaire and gives a little, fist pump of solidarity. Sorry this is all he’s good for right now.
“….I’m sure. They’ll taste great.” To Him, at least. He turns back and squints at Ernest and his , obvious red mark, trying to process all the other man’s problems. There was a lot. that was said.
“…Does…what other people think…matter?” He looks upwards takes another gulp from his drink. “…I mean. Yeah. A lot of times. But…..From what you said- if you know, and he knows, that you aren’t……together? Then… you guys understand each other…. yeah?” He nods with determination that only the slightly drunk have.
“…That’s enough isn’t it?” To understand. To be understood. “…You could just - tell him. If you’re….worrying. But why…would he be mad at you for something other people think?” He suddenly points at Ernest “…It has nothing to do with your friendship. That’s between you… and him.” and well. Kylik and Xunyi, now that they’re being told this, but the point still stands.
“….Unless. You actually… do want to-?” He makes a vaguely pained expression. Getting too close to his own shit right there.
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Xunyi gave up on listening in to their conversation. They can't follow at all. Maybe they weren't drunk enough to be on their wavelength? Xunyi takes another sip of their drink.
They look down at Ernest as he asks and almost pats his head because of the sulky expression, "I'm making..cooked noodles." Xunyi nods. Yup. They'll be cooked. They finally find some type of spatula and goes back to their noodles to get stirring..ah..the noodles got stuck to the bottom...
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @li 📽 ernie
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @li 📽 ernie
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“Oh boy, I fucking love cooked noodles,” Ernest drinks… more.
And he listens to Kylik, attention fully captivated surprisingly enough. Whether the words sunk in as intended was beyond them all, but. Something seemed to stick.
“To understand each other…”
“No, but… that all makes sense, but still… ‘t’s cause…” As blabbery as Ernest was getting in his inebriation, it also became hard to find the right words at times. He clears his throat.
“Sometimes the truth is…. not what it actually is? I don’t… fuck, I’m too drunk to explain this good. But if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, even if it’s a dog, what makes it a dog? If everyone thinks it’s a duck? No, that comparison’s too fucking complicated- it’s more, like…. He’s got all this important stuff goin’ on based on his reputation, and he’s… what if he finds a girl he likes and she thinks he’s fucking gay because of me? All over something stupid I didn’t think through just one time? I dunno. Maybe I’m thinking into it too much. Maybe it’ll just all blow over….” His eyes stare blankly into the counter, wide, as he takes another inhale from his cig. Maybe if he threatened Liu he’d keep quiet, but it’s not like he wanted to be known for that either…… nor did he want to inflict harm…
With everything on his mind, it seemed like the last of Kylik’s comment almost whizzed completely by him. Except the cogs were indeed still whirring in there, he just was a bit… occupied. With all the thoughts.
And he listens to Kylik, attention fully captivated surprisingly enough. Whether the words sunk in as intended was beyond them all, but. Something seemed to stick.
“To understand each other…”
“No, but… that all makes sense, but still… ‘t’s cause…” As blabbery as Ernest was getting in his inebriation, it also became hard to find the right words at times. He clears his throat.
“Sometimes the truth is…. not what it actually is? I don’t… fuck, I’m too drunk to explain this good. But if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, even if it’s a dog, what makes it a dog? If everyone thinks it’s a duck? No, that comparison’s too fucking complicated- it’s more, like…. He’s got all this important stuff goin’ on based on his reputation, and he’s… what if he finds a girl he likes and she thinks he’s fucking gay because of me? All over something stupid I didn’t think through just one time? I dunno. Maybe I’m thinking into it too much. Maybe it’ll just all blow over….” His eyes stare blankly into the counter, wide, as he takes another inhale from his cig. Maybe if he threatened Liu he’d keep quiet, but it’s not like he wanted to be known for that either…… nor did he want to inflict harm…
With everything on his mind, it seemed like the last of Kylik’s comment almost whizzed completely by him. Except the cogs were indeed still whirring in there, he just was a bit… occupied. With all the thoughts.
“I don’t know, man! I don’t know what I want ever- I’m terrible at relationships!” He mumbles, albeit frustratingly (at himself). “I’ve never even had friends until I got this job! So I just don’t want to…. ruin it all. Over having stupid ideas. Or wondering about stupid shit. Like whether I like like certain people. ‘Cause what if I’m just happy to finally have friends?”
Back to the bottle.
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @meow | xunyi sorry that hes. like that
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @meow | xunyi sorry that hes. like that
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Even from Ernest’s drunken stupor he sorta got the impression that he and Kylik weren’t on the same page. Hell…. Kylik’s. Issues. Sounded a lot more uh. Over-encompassing than Ernest’s. Yet…. they hit close to home anyway. It’s not like Kylik knew a thing about Ernest or vice versa, but looking at how serious Kylik purported himself and how firmly he gripped his shoulder- (and lucky he was drunk enough to not be put off by sudden gestures like that-) it was something that hit close to home for Kylik too.
Ernest sighs shakily, watching Kylik seem to unravel under his understated disposition.
“Oh my god….” He says, extremely sympathetically, as if he was in awe. He tucks the cig behind his ear and reaches out to massage Kylik’s nape comfortingly. His brows furrowed in serious concern, and his lip wibbled into a frown.
“Yuou’re right. Who cares if I want to BLEEP Kitzinger. I have more serious things t’be ddeprrss’ed about.” He frowns even deeper, trying to pull Kylik into a side-hug. “And t’live for. That aren’t men. Because m’not gay,” He sniffs. “I’m such a fuckup. I should’ve gone into accounting likge Parker. SNIFF”
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik ft. xunyi
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Ernest and Kylik really seemed to be going through things. Xunyi's not sure what things, but they seem to know what things, so they just continue to make their noodles. That's what they were here for, after all. Xunyi hopes they wouldn't have to figure out how to help them get home, too.
They keep rifling through all of the kitchen's cabinets and drawers in an attempt to keep themselves busy, to stay in the background of Ernest and Kylik's vulnerable moment, and manage to find seasoning! and even one (1) egg! which they promptly add to the noodles.
They turn off the fire just as Ernest admits to..Xunyi quickly redacts it in their brain None of their business none of their business. They dump the extra water into the sink and plop the pot of noodles in the middle of the floor, along with some extra utensils they found, and sits himself down behind it. "Eat time." They announce. They have high hopes for these noodles, for once. Who knew culinary genius arose from trying very hard not to be too involved with two drunk men on the floor in the kitchen of a fancy dinner party.
@li 📽 ernie @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
None of their business none of their business. They dump the extra water into the sink and plop the pot of noodles in the middle of the floor, along with some extra utensils they found, and sits himself down behind it. "Eat time." They announce. They have high hopes for these noodles, for once. Who knew culinary genius arose from trying very hard not to be too involved with two drunk men on the floor in the kitchen of a fancy dinner party.
@li 📽 ernie @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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It was, certainly strange to be, comforted by a drunk man he barely knew, while also, inebriated, but Kylik wasn't complaining. Right now, at least. He leans into Ernest's side hug, and slumps his head onto the other man's shoulder, nodding (though it probably looked more like, he was just rubbing his face onto Ernie. That's fine. It was nice. to be. touched. sometimes.)
"....Accounting is shit." Kylik mumbles, squinting while he tries to lift a bottle to his lips once again. "Bankers are shit. You're...decent." Don't become a class traitor Ernie. "....Parker could never....throw hot dogs like you." He literally doesn't know who Parker is, but he feels that this is the truth.
He closes his eyes for what feels like a second, and when he opens them again, there Xunyi is, with noodles.
"......Thank you......for my life." He says, genuinely, wobbling a little as he tries to sit up straight in order to eat. "....When I'm. sober. I.....will......" presumably, do something in return? He thinks this and then doesn't speak, because he's too busy eating noodles. 
@li 📽 ernie @meow | xunyi
@li 📽 ernie @meow | xunyi
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He plucks his cig back into his mouth.
”Hmll yh brther,” Hell yeah brother, Ernest mutters as Kylik expresses his distaste for the bourgeoisie that was the upper middle class. Ernest gives a gentle knock between their heads before rubbing Kylik’s shoulder and pulling away. He wasn’t nearly this touchy when he was sober, but… the sentiments about being touched were pretty much the same.
“Parker’s……… shit. Stupid cunt. Stupid ugly ginger cunt.”
He looks over to Xunyi as they stooped over with the pot of noodles- as pathetically simple as the meal was, it smelled pretty good. He wasn’t really hungry, but he figured it’d be a waste if he didn’t partake in some as well. So he reaches over for a utensil.
“I think………. you……. are the best……………. fucking ever.” And then he digs in as well.
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik @meow | xunyi
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The three dig in in comfortable silence, utensils scraping against the pot. Somehow, the fire alarm miraculously doesn’t set off, and neither do either of the drunkards’ feelings. Maybe this was the magic of nat20 noodles.
ROOM OPEN
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...And Jericho drags Ernest into the kitchen!!! Back at it again my boy.
He lets go of Ernest's hand and starts rummaging around the kitchen. "You. Just. Stand there. Idiot." He says, pointing at the stupid drunk man like a dog that needs to be told to Sit and Stay, before going back to whatever he's doing.
After a few minutes, he produces a bread basket with a few loaves still in it and a glass of water, which he slides over to Ernest. "Drink and eat. You need to sober up." It's not the tastiest thing in the world, but Ernest is not deserving of his culinary skills.
@li 📽 ernie
He lets go of Ernest's hand and starts rummaging around the kitchen. "You. Just. Stand there. Idiot." He says, pointing at the stupid drunk man like a dog that needs to be told to Sit and Stay, before going back to whatever he's doing.
After a few minutes, he produces a bread basket with a few loaves still in it and a glass of water, which he slides over to Ernest. "Drink and eat. You need to sober up." It's not the tastiest thing in the world, but Ernest is not deserving of his culinary skills.
@li 📽 ernie
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Ernest is almost completely enthralled now, like he was watching a circus sideshow. Classical hits he went through during their short adventure to the kitchen included “Your hand’s fuckin’ small dude-” “Oh, gloves. My picture…” and “You smell like a fruit.”
Finally he gets placed in the kitchen to his own devices, and when Jericho calls him an idiot, he laughs and flips him off dutifully.
Once the cooking was done, He ambles over to the counter, eyeing the bread and water tentatively. Surprisingly no snide comments about the quality of the meal. He reaches out and takes a bite into a slice. ”Thank you Mr. Jericho,” he replies in a similarly singsongy tone as he had to Xunyi. He digs in until his cheek is full of crumbs, but at least Ernest had the tact to purse his lips and only speak when it didn’t risk projectile shooting out crumbs all over himself.
“Where we goin’ next? Wanna go to the closet?”
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho @dee 🌼 doris
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Doris was definitely feeling the side effects of the handful of drinks she had, but somehow she's managed to keep it to a slight buzz rather than full on tipsy or drunk unlike the several other times she's drank. Maybe she was finally starting to learn what her tolerance was? She usually doesn't like drinking, but at least learning this was a good thing right?
After finding a way out of the games on the dance floor she had wandered around tripping on her heels along the halls trying to find the restroom before making her way back to the dance floor, only to find the games already over and Ernie nowhere in sight. Worried, she tries to make her rounds across the banquet hall, finally spotting him with Jericho in the kitchens.
Oh gosh. Jericho. She had already apologized to Jacob the other day in the office but had managed to avoid Jericho so far. She needed to apologize to him too but.... he was a little harder to approach than Jacob. Dear God please help her. At least Jericho seemed to be helping Ernie...?
"Ernie!" She says with a relieved sigh, stumbling slightly as her heels hit tiles instead of carpet, but she manages to balance herself to meet them by the counter. She looks to Jericho, giving him a polite smile that she hopes doesn't look like a wince because she's nervous and cringing internally from their last encounter... "How are you doing?" She asks the both of them. @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho @li 📽 ernie
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As Ernest ambles over, Jericho places his hands on the man's shoulders and turns him so that they're facing each other.
"Ernest...I want you to know that the reason I am always calling people out on their inappropriate gay jokes is because I find them unprofessional. And the reason I find them unprofessional is because they all too often edge into the territory questioning the sexualities of coworkers when that is literally no one's business." While he speaks, Jericho fixes the man's rumpled collar and buttons up the rest of the man's shirt with practiced ease. His words are clinical and precise as he reaches for Ernest's tie and begins retying it. "Based on your cute comments, I wouldn't be surprised if you and your friends have already gossiped about it. But let me confirm it, just for you. Yes, I am attracted to men. I hope this information amuses you to your satisfaction." As he completes the tie knot, Jericho meets Ernest's eyes as he puts extra strength into pulling the knot closed so its just a degree too tight. "Are there any other jokes you would like to make?" The question is spoken softly without breaking eye contact, and he keeps a firm grip on the man's tie.
Jericho holds his gaze on Ernest for a beat longer once Doris enters. In a moment of spite, he reaches up and lightly brushes back the man's bangs and tucks them behind his ear. Satisfied with Ernest's fixed appearance, Jericho steps away from him to look at Doris. He folds his arms and leans against the counter.
"Fine."
@li 📽 ernie @dee 🌼 doris
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He's surprised at Jericho's assumptions, however, in spite of how reinforced they were. He wasn't necessarily losing sleep over Jericho's sexuality- but... then he remembers how he felt about being poked and prodded for a concrete answer for himself. Oh.
"I'm not amused." Ernest replies in earnest. " I... think I do too. I won't tell anyone if you want me to promise not t--"
At the sudden yank to his tie, Ernest's eyes do widen- mostly out of concern that Jericho was intending to strangle him. Evidently not so. Something, something- being stern with a dog. Right? That's how it went?
"Yeah." Ernest utters as Jericho gingerly tidies his hair in their prolonged staring match. He wasn't used to this either, not from someone who was fond of him, let alone someone who'd probably leave him stuck in a freezer if given the chance. Guess it didn't matter- he'd still soak it in. Little things.
"Wanna go to the closet?" His eyes search for an answer with a serious expression to match Jericho's steely gaze. One light brown, one dark, both flitting ever so slightly, looking for a cue.
"....Kidding. I already know the answer's no," he grins lopsidedly.
He nearly flies towards Doris, attempting to give her a bearhug.
"Doris! I feel better seeing you! "
"
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Yet Doris couldn't help up holding back from saying anything. They were still treading these new waters of getting to know each other again after so long. Would he even remember anything if she were to talk about it? She didn't want to overstep. Nervous. Scared? She didn't want to be.
They were friends. She shouldn't be scared. She looks into Ernie's eyes for a moment longer, lips pursed in thought. Decisions. Making them was always difficult.
Yet a steadfast determination was taking root, liquid courage was still running through her, that small buzz telling her to step up and do something about all this. She opens her mouth go speak, "I need to talk to you" Doris finds herself saying, voice soft yet firm. Thankfully she had enough self control to not blurt out how he's a mess, in more than one way. Which would be hypocritical of her because she was one too.
She takes hold of Ernie's hand, "But let's find you a seat before you fall over."
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"No need to apologize, our conversation was over," Jericho replies to Doris.
He listens to her talk to Ernest, his eyes trained on the man as thoughts turn in his head. Well, it sounds like Doris has something important and personal to discuss with Ernest, and he takes that as his cue to leave. She seems capable enough to handle her drunk friend, anyhow.
With a small nod in the couple's direction, Jericho leaves the kitchen. He'll have to approach Ernest another day, when he's actually sober.
@li 📽 ernie @dee 🌼 doris (SORRY FOR THE WAIT )
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Ernest looks down at Doris quite elatedly as she fusses over the crumbs on his shirt and spoke. She looked really pretty tonight, and…. he supposed he was proud of her? In a way? Even though he was drunk, he still found it in him to be proud (and glad) that she was here and dressed up in spite of any anxieties she may’ve had. Jericho slips out before Ernest can even notice- perhaps for the best for today.
“…Yeah.” He mutters. “‘T’ feels like it’s dragged on for hours…” He rubs his temples.
He watched as Doris seemed to deliberate over what she wanted to say. She was always really cautious, Ernest felt, but he wondered what things would be like if she spoke her mind more often. Like now.
Her hand clutches his, and his fingers curl reflexively to hold it back.
“…M’kay,” he raises his brows, letting Doris guide him. “What’dyou wanna talk about?”
@dee 🌼 doris SORRY FOR THE WAIT AS WELL BUT
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Ernest's brows remain raised, as if he didn't understand the need for the conversation, even though he sits compliantly in the seat.
When Doris elaborates as to why she was concerned, he looked down at the counter-top, contemplative.
...
"I don't know. It's kind of a lot." He sighs, the goofiness of being drunk and having picked on Jericho starting to settle down with Doris's serious yet gentle disposition emanating towards him.
"Today has been both.... fun and kinda really crap," He utters, searching for the answers in his reflection. "I drank way too much, I... and..."
"I feel like- I... you know how I'd always say I didn't care about how other people saw me? Even if it made me look bad?... I thought I really didn't, and still did, but..." he sighs. "I dunno, I got used to the idea that. Everyone saw me a certain way here- but then.. this week, and today especially, it seems like I thought... wrong."
"It's-- it's not even about the gay or straight stuff, because really, I haven't... I haven't thought about it as much as I probably should've. Even though I sorta wished I could just... not think about it, ever. I haven't even thought about girls as much as I probably should my age, but it's just. Um..."
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"There was some stuff I was stressed about earlier, but it... probably doesn't matter as much as I thought at first. It's stupid and better if I just got over it, genuinely. What's really been on my mind is just... It's..."
"It's scary? It feels like- I don't even know what's real yet, but I'm panicked about.... making sure people don't get the wrong idea about me. And this isn't even about being gay, even though it kinda is- it's about.... just. My personality. And stuff. Everything. It feels like if someone took the wrong idea and spun it it'd just go way too far for me to catch. Not like I'm scared about rumors, but. Just. People I look up to not liking me anymore."
He sighs.
"Sorry. I don't mean to vent. I'm--- It's stupid, I'm twenty-five years old and I feel like I'm going through shit highschoolers go through."
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"I feel like... maybe these pictures people take away can be hard to catch, like-- people will borrow the VHS with a badly copied tape inside from the library thinking it's the original. They only get a small bit of the real thing. People can always go back to the library and get a better copy. I-- does that make sense? I'm a little tipsy too so I'm barely understanding myself. What I mean is this: people like you. I like you. And it's okay if they get the wrong idea, they'll eventually learn to get the right one."
"As for the gay or straight stuff..." She looks back at Ernie. She tentatively reaches out to hold his hand, "I- I know I already said a lot and-- and I've been rambling. Sorry. But it's okay to be attracted to both men and women. I am. I... wouldn't say I'm proud or out-- my mom does know about it-- I mostly keep it to myself... but I'm comfortable with it. And I hope you'll be able to sort out your thoughts and feel the same."
Her face had grown warm from all that she divulged, feeling like hardcover book with it's spine and binding exposed. "S-s-sorry for talking so much. I just want you to know I'm here for you."
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And it donned on him that even though he never felt like he had any friends in his childhood, maybe that estimation was unfair. Doris had been there at some point, and he likely would’ve been much worse off without her.
“…Nothing to be sorry about.”
He squeezes her hand reassuringly.
“…It all makes sense. And I feel better after you’ve said it. Thanks for telling me.”
He gently pulls Doris towards him for another bearhug.
“You’ve grown up a lot, Dor.”
And he still felt like the same kid on the steps of the library, thinking about what movie to put into the tape player the next time the girl with the pigtails sat with him on the floor.
“You gotta tell me when your birthday is, by the way,” he says mock-sternly.
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@dee 🌼 doris
@dee 🌼 doris aaaAAAA lmk if u wanna speedrun on the dancefloor or take dance to dms 
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LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / lawn
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Cassius rubs the bridge of his nose. Being farsighted without his glasses was not helping right now when he needed to see his phone. Was he pressing the wrong buttons or was there no cell service? The taxi service was not picking up...
With a sigh, he folds his phone and puts it back into his pocket. How far was the venue from his place..? Could he walk until there was service? He glances at the bustling party and then back to the empty road. Maybe if he waited long enough, he could hop into a taxi that was dropping off any late people.
He looks up at the sky and ponders.
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"Leaving already?" A voice sounds close to Cassius' ear.
While not claustrophobic, Rhett did find the closet a little stuffy, and so his feet take him to partake in the relaxing night breeze, this time out on the lawn instead of the rooftop. It appeared that there stood another dapper figure with the same idea -- fumbling with their phone -- or were they planning to dip early from the function? It was Cassius Caro, the man who shared the magnificent swan ride with him during their shark exorcising adventure.
"What do you think about continuing our date, instead?" Rhett looks and sounds completely serious.
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Too distracted with the lack of cell service, Cassius failed to notice Rhett's footsteps approaching him. He jolts a bit at the sudden voice near his ear and turns around to check who it is- but his farsightedness ruins him yet again as the face near his is a blur. It's not a voice he necessarily recognizes immediately either... so he takes a step back far enough to see better.
"Oh, hello Hamilton," Cassius says after the face comes into focus. He takes in the tone and body language of his coworker, he seemed serious enough. Cassius smiles at the red head's proposition and steps close again. "I suppose I can spare my night for you."
@ren | rhett
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Ah yes, now he recalls how smooth Detective Caro was, as the other takes his words both seriously and confidently. Like a fox who suddenly finds itself stumbling into a trap, Rhett takes a cautious step backwards to recreate the space.
"No glasses today?" Obnoxiously, Rhett waves his hand in front of the other's face. "Contacts?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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With the seriousness that Rhett spoke his lines, Cassius was confused when he stepped away to create space again. He tilts his head slightly with curiosity, studying Rhett's face. Maybe the flirting was just a joke. How far would Rhett take it?
"I usually don't wear my glasses outside of work because I'm farsighted. They're mostly to read paperwork." The wave in front of his face doesn't bother him at all, it's just another blur.
"What shall we do for our date? Why don't you lead the way?" @ren | rhett
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Maybe it was the solemness and earnestness in Cassius' voice or the other's age and statue but Rhett finds his usual cunning bite dulled, his mind stumbling before running forward once more.
A tilt of his head. What angle should he play. . . okay then, he'll be an abhorrent narcissistic. "Without out your glasses, how can you see my beautiful face?" Still, he offers his colleague an arm. "Where shall we stroll, Detective Caro?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius chuckles. "You're right, it's a shame I can't see your face up close." He leans in closer for a second with a slight squint and watches his vision turn Rhett into fuzzy colored blobs. Their 6 inch height difference wasn't quite far enough for Cassius to be able to see clearly. Nonetheless, Cassius hooks his arm with Rhett's, resigning himself to participating in the party again.
"I'll leave it up to you. I believe in your ability to sweep me off my feet," he teases. @ren | rhett
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"Sweep you off your feet, hm?" Not a bad idea actually. Rhett leans over to scoop up Cassius' legs, hoping to very smoothly bridal-carry the other but --
AV says no 
STR: 6. The red-haired man pitches forward, dragging Cassius down along with him. The tangle of long limbs lends to a fairly clumsy and painful fall IMPACT; 17.
"Oh." Rhett laughs. What can one do but laugh? How can he rectify this situation?
"I must have had too much to drink." A lie. He was completely sober. "Or. . . perhaps I'm falling in love?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius i am so sorr
STR: 6. The red-haired man pitches forward, dragging Cassius down along with him. The tangle of long limbs lends to a fairly clumsy and painful fall IMPACT; 17.
"Oh." Rhett laughs. What can one do but laugh? How can he rectify this situation?
"I must have had too much to drink." A lie. He was completely sober. "Or. . . perhaps I'm falling in love?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius i am so sorr
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Okay- he didn't expect Rhett to actually attempt to sweep him off his feet. It was all moving too fast for Cassius to do anything and the two were already hitting the floor in tangled limbs when he realized what was happening.
Rhett's burst of laughter has Cassius laughing too. That fall hurt pretty badly, but there wasn't an ounce of anger or annoyance from Cassius.
"You're a sweet talker," he observes while rising to his feet. "Whatever could I have done to make a pretty boy like you fall in love with me?" His white suit was definitely dirtied, but he could just get it cleaned later. He offers a hand for Rhett too.
@ren | rhett
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You can make up for it in other ways though.
The grin widens. He knows exactly how vague it was and what Detective Caro might (or might not) be insinuating.
"Let's grab a drink and perhaps a dance then?" Offers his arm once more.
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius TUMBLES IN SORRY THIS IS SO LATE !!
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Cassius enters the lawn again and pulls out his phone. Awkwardly holds it a foot away from his face so he can clearly see the tiny flip phone's screen while he presses in numbers. Would the taxi service pick up this time?
feel free to... interact with him... convince him to stay or something... time is just a concept and it's stopped rn
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Cassius calls the taxi service...
And then folds his phone, slightly upset. The next taxi would arrive in 2 hours. Back to the party he goes.
Cassius leaves the lawn
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They laugh, glancing around for the [rats].
"Damn, Morrie, talk like that and I might actually believe it." They grin. @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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He says nothing, which is a bit telling, and then he starts... ascending?? Not like the rapture, but climbing, because Luuvy has no idea how to write transitions or what the layout of this fake venue looks like.
Yes, he does expect Lullaby to follow, put that +3 str to use.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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You know. They somehow expected this when he singled them out and explained the situation.
There's only one use they ever really have.
They climb. @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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Eventually, he peels away from the main event. There was only so long he could survive around food he couldn’t eat, and some non-kosher burgers sounded absolutely appetizing right now. He keeps an eye out for person-he-arrived-with-but-definitely-is-not-a-date while he idles around his bike.
Suddenly, a phone call.
“Hey, what’s up?”
Morris attempts to pin the cell phone to his ear by his shoulder. He was still getting used to one of these devices, a ‘mobile phone’, being contacted by anyone from anywhere was still a new concept to him.
“No, you didn’t call at a bad time, I’m just at a work-thing.”
With the coat back on his silly pants with the padded knee pads was starting to make a lot more sense.
“Did you want to hang out later?”
Morris seems to halt all actions while waiting for the answer.
“I see, well, some other time then. I have to go pierce my tongue or something anyways.”
The ghost of a smile.
“You’ll see it. Good night.”
He places the helmet over his aching head and calls it a night.
(JUST SOME KIND OF... CLOSING POST??? THANK FOR EVENT)
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LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / bathrooms
We are not describing the bathroom. The hand soap is full, the paper towels immaculate, the toilet paper? Top grade. You’re welcome. There are multiple stalls and two sinks. This is the room for crying and drunken hype sessions.
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Nothing like a panicking giant man barging in to ruin a pleasant moment in a pristine bathroom. He throws the pillow in an open sink, hands reaching for the other sink handles to draw out cold water. "Fine evening-" He retorts hurriedly to the person standing there, not realizing it was another one of his coworkers.
He looks in the mirror, smacking his cheeks, relieved his normal complexion was returning to his face. His cheeks were still hot. "Sorry but- is there sweat on my back--" June turns around for Adrian to inspect his shirt, murmuring something under his breath.
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A pillow sails through the air, landing squarely in the sink. Slam dunk.
Adrian is mildly concerned.
Before he can voice those concerns, a man follows closely behind, storming into the bathroom (though thankfully, not through the air). June seemed.. panicked, to say the least. All in all, it wasn't the worst thing that could've happened. At least in the rush, any questions of why, exactly, Adrian was standing stock-still in the middle of an empty bathroom were quickly and forcefully pushed aside. ♂️
Is there sweat on my back? Adrian blinks. Opens his mouth, mutely.
Well. He takes a glance. June's wearing a vest over his shirt, and the vest, at least, seems clean, but June wiggles a hand back to lift it, and...
It's a good thing the shirt is black.
"Hm," Adrian says, eloquently. "Yes."
@flan 🦋 june
♂️
Is there sweat on my back? Adrian blinks. Opens his mouth, mutely.
Well. He takes a glance. June's wearing a vest over his shirt, and the vest, at least, seems clean, but June wiggles a hand back to lift it, and...
It's a good thing the shirt is black.
"Hm," Adrian says, eloquently. "Yes."
@flan 🦋 june
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Ernest was still riding the high of being stupid when he ambled out of the closet, quite happy with himself, but one thing that persisted in the back of his mind was the bruise potentially forming on his neck. Because- well, see, Ernest was a creative man, but his plans didn’t always have a sense of scope. It’s why his student film was never finished. It’s also why, now, he realizes that the punchline of pretending to do bizarre things to his partner in the closet is immediately decimated when he realizes he’ll have to confess that it was. Well. Kitzinger was there with him. Won’t elaborate how he was involved in that equation. Stop asking questions, why are you so goddamn nosey?
He swings open the bathroom door with a whistle, and is immediately accosted by Adrian… brooding (normal) and June…. having a moment.
”Oh. Jesus Christ.”
He looks over at June’s sweat-drenched back.
“What the he…ck happened to you, Mr. Love? Are you okay?” Ernest asked. As if he had any place to talk, tousled hair and disheveled blouse. “Hey Liu.”
“Hey Liu.”
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A second challenger enters the fray.
Ernie looks, well. Slovenly. As if he's just done some unspeakable acts. Ernie turns towards June, and Adrian spots a deep red splotch blooming on the back of his neck.
This was probably against some kind of workplace regulation, right? 
Adrian commits heavily to Not Asking, nodding at Ernie in silent acknowledgement as he comes in.
Libertines, all of them. He wasn't one to judge, but he wonders what their local reverend would think of all this. Then again...
Adrian commits heavily to Not Asking, nodding at Ernie in silent acknowledgement as he comes in.
Libertines, all of them. He wasn't one to judge, but he wonders what their local reverend would think of all this. Then again...
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"AARRRGHH-" He groans, embarrassed he would get so unkempt at such a formal occasion. "Thanks, man. Sorry I ruined your moment-- Could you help a brother out?" He nods at Adrian, grabbing immaculate paper towels and handing them to him. He undid his vest and lifted the back of his shirt a bit. Suddenly, someone else came in- Ernest!
"Yo, Ern. You got..." He points... and squints at the something on his neck before making a conclusion on what it was and clearing his throat. "Mmmmmm..." Did he want to admit what just happened? "Oh... Kitchen duty is brutal." He chuckles nervously.
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Adrian furrows his brow, trying desperately to imagine a world in which kitchen duty could lead to a bruise on the back of one's neck.
Frying pan brawling taking center stage in his mind, he turns his gaze back up to... June's... exposed... back.
Was it impolite to say... no?
For the sake of workplace camaraderie, Adrian represses his grimace, pulling out black leather gloves from his suit jacket's inside pocket. He tugs them on, taking the proffered paper towels with the tips of his fingertips. This was unseemly. Was this what parties were like?
Gingerly, he dabs at June's... sweaty... back, sending a panicked glance over at Ernest.
You seem to be more versed with this ...type... of behavior, he tries to communicate, through a combination of raised eyebrows and ESP. I am requesting your concerted assistance.
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Ernest clears his throat.
“Oh, were you helpin’ Jericho with all those lobsters? Thanks a lot,” Ernest murmurs, making his way to one of the faucets to look at his reflection. Right, he hadn’t even eaten anything yet…
He juts his chin out, inspecting the blotch- small, obviously, since it was just from a prolonged pinch, but… still obnoxious. Ughhhhhh.
He sighs and begins to fix his tie, until Adrian begins to radiate negative energy at him. Enough for him to look around to see where it was coming from.
Oh.
He sighs and paces over, taking some of the napkins and… pressing them onto June’s back about as gingerly as Adrian had been, but at least trying to pretend to be more tactful about it.
Yeah, whatever man, seems to be the general gist of whatever telepathy Ernest shot back at Adrian.
“What’re you doin’ here, Liu?”
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June giggles at the sight of his coworkers dabbing away at his back with little to no enthusiasm radiating from their faces. They're so kind . "Helping is one way to say it! Though in the end Vidali just ended up shooing me away for being a nuisance. You guys better go out and grab a plate before it's all gone-- I saw someone eating all the shrimp." Another giggle before he lowers his shirt and patting their shoulders.
His gaze fixes to the mark on Ernie's neck. Ahh.. I remember college. June adjusts Ernie's collar so it could conceal it a little.
"Oh- You touched my sweaty back before even getting my name-" He turns to Adrian with a smile. "June Love."
. "Helping is one way to say it! Though in the end Vidali just ended up shooing me away for being a nuisance. You guys better go out and grab a plate before it's all gone-- I saw someone eating all the shrimp." Another giggle before he lowers his shirt and patting their shoulders.
His gaze fixes to the mark on Ernie's neck. Ahh.. I remember college. June adjusts Ernie's collar so it could conceal it a little.
"Oh- You touched my sweaty back before even getting my name-" He turns to Adrian with a smile. "June Love."
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He pretends as though he hasn't spent his spare time in the office archives reading all of his coworkers' case files, sending June a polite smile through the mirror, paper towel still in hand.
"Adrian Liu. It's a pleasure." Though the circumstances of this first meeting aren't exactly... ideal.
Adrian deflates a little at the mention of the shrimp shortage, but reminds himself that there's probably still at least a few more pieces of lobster. Hopefully.
Ernest comes to help him with the Absorbency, and Adrian sends him a grateful look from behind June's sweaty, sweaty back. "I was trying to get out to the gardens with Tyler, but he disappeared."
"I swear he was just behind me," he mutters quietly, half to himself. "But when I turned around, there was only an empty corridor... and a broom closet...."
Wait, was Ernest asking him... why he was in... the bathroom?
He concocts a Likely-Bathroom-Alibi. "Then I came in here to wash my hands." Like a normal bathroom patron.
"What..." Adrian trails off, hesitant, sending a glance at Ernest's neck. "What have you been up to?"
@flan 🦋 june @li 📽 ernie
He concocts a Likely-Bathroom-Alibi. "Then I came in here to wash my hands." Like a normal bathroom patron.
"What..." Adrian trails off, hesitant, sending a glance at Ernest's neck. "What have you been up to?"
@flan 🦋 june @li 📽 ernie
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Ernest can see Adrian's disbelief. Hell, he didn't even need to see or hear it because he could feel it in the air like it was palpable.
He looks at his reflection in the mirror. And then back at Adrian, sizing him up.
"Kitzinger did it," He blurted out, and then walked out of the bathroom ♂️
@xia :capitalism: adrian
♂️
@xia :capitalism: adrian
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They meet eyes in the mirror. A moment of tension catches, locks in their gaze. Something electric buzzes through the air—like understanding, or a stray insect.
Then Ernest turned on his heel, fleeing the scene.
Adrian stares at June's back. By now, most of the offending liquid has been successfully Cleansed.
He wishes his brain could be Cleansed of the mental image of Ernest and Zeke in a broom closet, method acting their way to vampiric supremacy. The angle you'd have to...
Adrian crumples the paper towels in his hand and tosses it into the trash can. His job here is done.
Shell-shocked, he wanders out of the bathroom with empty eyes.
He is a changed man.
@xia :capitalism: adrian @flan 🦋 june
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(i tagged myself like a genius. @li 📽 ernie
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June catches the last portion of Adrian's brief introduction and nods with an absent smile. Even when Ernest boldly admits the culprit of his "battle scars," June is facing the wall, mind occupying first class to La La Land. Splashes of red hair and freckles pressing against his face playfully entertain his thoughts. He turns around and- oh. Everyone is gone.
After fixing his dress shirt and vest in place, he picks up the Loue pillow from the sink, holding it tightly to his chest.
June exits, ROOM OPEN
After fixing his dress shirt and vest in place, he picks up the Loue pillow from the sink, holding it tightly to his chest.
June exits, ROOM OPEN
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Comesa crashing in, man being stuck for 7 minutes in a super cramped closet really be bad for your hair. Patrick stares at the bathroom mirror examining himself. His hair.. was a little tousled! Taking a moment to try to groom himself once more while no one is looking
But it takes a pretty long time to braid and bun his hair like he did, he wonders if he should just wear it loose. A clip here and there, flower in his hair? Maybe?
He is thinking. Staring.
And then he makes a face. 
laughing to himself for a moment. But back onto the matter of his external beauty. Letting his hair loose might not be all that flashy! He wonders what he should do..
But it takes a pretty long time to braid and bun his hair like he did, he wonders if he should just wear it loose. A clip here and there, flower in his hair? Maybe?
He is thinking. Staring.
And then he makes a face. laughing to himself for a moment. But back onto the matter of his external beauty. Letting his hair loose might not be all that flashy! He wonders what he should do..
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Tyler . Tiredly. Staggered into the bathroom.
Black Void, he was Exhausted. ......He guessed that should be expected. The last party he went to (back in . highschool) also left him feeling drained. In fact, he'd never finished a day feeling happy, fulfilled, and rejuvenated! ...Maybe he should get that checked out. (just kidding. perish.)
He didn't really need anything in particular from the bathroom. Some quiet, alone time perhaps. A splash of water on his face to keep him going. He didn't really want to use his brain; he just let his legs do the walking. And if he hit a wall, then at least he would feel something
Like a bored zombie extra, he opened the door. Ah— oh it was Patrick. That was.....pretty fortunate, actually. Patrick could hold a conversation on his own. Tyler just had to sit there and exist. Respite
He didn't really have words, so he just nodded a hello to Patrick in the mirror. Patrick would either see it, or get spooked by the Gusher Green Ghost 
; Tyler just let things happen.
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick 
pat u look gorgeous btw let that mane down king
Like a bored zombie extra, he opened the door. Ah— oh it was Patrick. That was.....pretty fortunate, actually. Patrick could hold a conversation on his own. Tyler just had to sit there and exist. Respite
He didn't really have words, so he just nodded a hello to Patrick in the mirror. Patrick would either see it, or get spooked by the Gusher Green Ghost ; Tyler just let things happen.
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick pat u look gorgeous btw let that mane down king
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Patrick was eyeing the mirror as still torn thinking what he should do with his hair.. but then he sees from the mirror that the door had opened and he sees.. Tyler!
“Ty! Chum ol’ buddy ol’ pal, good to see ya!” He waves a hello, turning to look at him, “Hey i got a big problem on my ass right now, bud, i need yer help. See, Hair got all tousled when i got myself in a game-a-then with Ace in the closet, and now I’m wondering if I should just let it all LOOSE, be FREE, let my mane go down all like Rapunzel baby! Or if I should just fix it” ♂️
“It’s gonna take a while to fix up though so I’m like, man is it worth the trouble-“ He lets out a long sigh before he managed to get a good look at Tyler, “aw man, bud you good? You look TIRED, did ya party yourself out too hard already? Got yourself some… action?” Heh heh he nudges at the other.
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
♂️
“It’s gonna take a while to fix up though so I’m like, man is it worth the trouble-“ He lets out a long sigh before he managed to get a good look at Tyler, “aw man, bud you good? You look TIRED, did ya party yourself out too hard already? Got yourself some… action?” Heh heh he nudges at the other.
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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Fast talking as always... Tyler could barely keep up. It was like listening to a foreign language, only being able to understand bits and pieces. But he understood enough to get the general gist. He thinks.
Hm......Patrick was asking about his hair, right.... "I like it. It's a good look on you," he says, matter-of-factly. "Do what you want, though. It's your hair; not anyone else's." He shrugs.
Gives Patrick a wry, weary look. "Action? No." But he knew of some people who Did (allegedly). "Parties are a lot. I'm not a good fit." Shrugs again. "You look fine." He means that as a compliment LMFAO. "I always took you for the party type." Nods to himself 
.............. ".....Have you been having fun?" Throws Patrick a bone. "Some—" deadpan, halfhearted nudge back. "—action?" Two bones. Imagine babysmirk but merged with 
. That's the energy. He's trying
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick
Fast talking as always... Tyler could barely keep up. It was like listening to a foreign language, only being able to understand bits and pieces. But he understood enough to get the general gist. He thinks.
Hm......Patrick was asking about his hair, right.... "I like it. It's a good look on you," he says, matter-of-factly. "Do what you want, though. It's your hair; not anyone else's." He shrugs.
Gives Patrick a wry, weary look. "Action? No." But he knew of some people who Did (allegedly). "Parties are a lot. I'm not a good fit." Shrugs again. "You look fine." He means that as a compliment LMFAO. "I always took you for the party type." Nods to himself
.............. ".....Have you been having fun?" Throws Patrick a bone. "Some—" deadpan, halfhearted nudge back. "—action?" Two bones. Imagine babysmirk but merged with . That's the energy. He's trying
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick
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HEHE "Thanks pal, i think so too! See I do. That's why i'm torn, but yaknow what? you right, It IS, in fact, my hair, and I say a little makeover is due! Something a little fun, a little free don't you think?" Patrick undoes his bun and his long hair comes falling down, the small braids along with it, ah! But he took those braids and simply.. ties them at the back!
There we go. Good as new!
"Thanks, Ty, couldn't have decided without'cha." he pats Tyler's back repeatedly. But he quickly starts listening to the other, nodding, "Yeah, parties can be a lot, i tell ya that, 'specially if yer not all that used to it! But i tell ya, once you get into that groove it can get super fun!" He starts doing a little jig in the bathroom.
"A little food a little dance to get your night rollin'!" He jazz hands.
"And- well. I'd say the fun's just gettin' started for me! Haven't been out there much cause of my little situation, but that's all fixed up, cause of you!" He nudges at Tyler again. "Maybe I'll get some action, maybe I don't. I'll leave that up to lady luck" He nods.
"Hey, hows'about you and me do a little dance! Gettin the night started!"
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
"Thanks pal, i think so too! See I do. That's why i'm torn, but yaknow what? you right, It IS, in fact, my hair, and I say a little makeover is due! Something a little fun, a little free don't you think?" Patrick undoes his bun and his long hair comes falling down, the small braids along with it, ah! But he took those braids and simply.. ties them at the back!
There we go. Good as new!
"Thanks, Ty, couldn't have decided without'cha." he pats Tyler's back repeatedly. But he quickly starts listening to the other, nodding, "Yeah, parties can be a lot, i tell ya that, 'specially if yer not all that used to it! But i tell ya, once you get into that groove it can get super fun!" He starts doing a little jig in the bathroom.
"A little food a little dance to get your night rollin'!" He jazz hands.
"And- well. I'd say the fun's just gettin' started for me! Haven't been out there much cause of my little situation, but that's all fixed up, cause of you!" He nudges at Tyler again. "Maybe I'll get some action, maybe I don't. I'll leave that up to lady luck" He nods.
"Hey, hows'about you and me do a little dance! Gettin the night started!"
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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Tyler once again listened patiently as Pat happily talked on . He was like the Energizer Bunny...just kept rolling. Filled Tyler with a bit more energy, too.
Which was good, because Patrick asked to dance .
To be honest, it didn't sound too bad—some physical activity would be a nice way to clear his mind and pep himself back up to normal levels. It would be nice to spend some time with Patrick too. He was infectious like that.
There was just one problem....
"I don't know how to dance. I can only do the thing where you sway back and forth in four steps," he says, plainly. Not a rejection, though. A challenge, perhaps. Or an invitation to do the Highschool Dance Sway Back And Forth In Four Steps thingy. @shelfy 🍀 Patrick
. He was like the Energizer Bunny...just kept rolling. Filled Tyler with a bit more energy, too.
Which was good, because Patrick asked to dance .
To be honest, it didn't sound too bad—some physical activity would be a nice way to clear his mind and pep himself back up to normal levels. It would be nice to spend some time with Patrick too. He was infectious like that.
There was just one problem....
"I don't know how to dance. I can only do the thing where you sway back and forth in four steps," he says, plainly. Not a rejection, though. A challenge, perhaps. Or an invitation to do the Highschool Dance Sway Back And Forth In Four Steps thingy. @shelfy 🍀 Patrick
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”PSHHHHH that’s FIIINE, sometimes dancing ain’t about the move, it’s about the GROOVE! There’s a difference. As long as you’re havin’ fun, doin a jig, swinging your hips, shaking your ass, then that’s all good!” He makes the moves as he says it, swinging hips, shaking ass, oh yeah, he’s gettin’ warmed up alright.
“But we can totally do somethin’ a little slow, a good ol’ one, two, three! Here, i can lead” He was about to snatch Tyler’s hands just like that before he paused- pulling back before offering a hand instead.
“May I have this dance, good sir?” He winks.
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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Patrick gives Tyler a big wide grin in response along with taking the other’s hand, pulling him closer till their chests touch. One hand clasped together, he guides Tyler’s hand to place over his shoulder as he placed his own on his waist.
“There we go. Now, slowly. One, two, three.. One two three” he takes a step front, side, back then left, but then on that second try, his foot slipped and he…! Stumbles a little!
DNC: [epic fail]
“Oh whoops! Scuse me I’m growing two left feet, I swear I’m a better dance than this—“ he tries to stabilize himself but instead.. steps on Tyler’s FOOT in the process and nearly tripping for the second time.
“AUGH— shit shit, Wait I got this, let’s go slower-“ He didn’t get this and at the very end, he slipped on a puddle of water!! They were.. in the bathroom after all and that was the last bit that he needs to fall over, tripping forwards he brings Tyler down with him as the two clashed on the ground.
“Ugh… fuck- Okay, i don’t know what’s happening, i swear to you i am a decent dancer at my worst—“ He pushes himself off the ground, finding.. Tyler beneath him? I am otome-fying you.
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
and that was the last bit that he needs to fall over, tripping forwards he brings Tyler down with him as the two clashed on the ground.
“Ugh… fuck- Okay, i don’t know what’s happening, i swear to you i am a decent dancer at my worst—“ He pushes himself off the ground, finding.. Tyler beneath him? I am otome-fying you.
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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"....Really wanted some action, huh?" He teases, seemingly unbothered by the position they found themselves in.
Tyler was.....frankly kind of surprised it all went so horribly. And yet, it made sense. Tyler was not a good dancer, and they were dancing in a bathroom . Actually, they should have expected it.
But honestly.......that just kind of made it all more fun? Not that Tyler was a glutton for punishment (his foot....his suit..... ), but the chaotic nature took some of the pressure and stiffness Tyler typically felt while dancing away. Something something adrenaline something mutual shared experiences.
Tyler made no effort to move. Your move, partner :) @shelfy 🍀 Patrick
. Actually, they should have expected it.
But honestly.......that just kind of made it all more fun? Not that Tyler was a glutton for punishment (his foot....his suit..... ), but the chaotic nature took some of the pressure and stiffness Tyler typically felt while dancing away. Something something adrenaline something mutual shared experiences.
Tyler made no effort to move. Your move, partner :) @shelfy 🍀 Patrick
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”I— well I did say I would leave it to Lady Luck, who knew she’d give me some so early on!” He chuckles, not necessarily making a lot of effort to move off either.
That said, he was quite surprised to see Tyler taking this so… calmly 
, Patrick had thought he’d be yanking him offa him, but.. no! Truly there was always something new to learn with your friends wasn’t there.
Patrick cleared his throat, “Havin’ fun?”
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
, Patrick had thought he’d be yanking him offa him, but.. no! Truly there was always something new to learn with your friends wasn’t there.
Patrick cleared his throat, “Havin’ fun?”
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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"A blast, actually." Another one of those Wry Lip Curls. "You've knocked me off my feet. B)" Wow Tyler you are so Hilarious. Where did you learn that, the joke store?
He is 
literally just layin there. Chillin. The longer this goes on for, the more amusing he finds it. He's genuinely a little curious to see Patrick's reactions.
Absentmindedly wraps his finger in some of Patrick's loose, stray hair that was curtaining over him. "You must be a lucky man, mister Patrick. ......Well, actually, I don't know if I'm much of a jackpot. Still—" Bright red eyes latch onto Patrick. "—will you go big or go home?" Is he teasing? Is he serious?
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick this is so fucking funny i am SOBBING
literally just layin there. Chillin. The longer this goes on for, the more amusing he finds it. He's genuinely a little curious to see Patrick's reactions.
Absentmindedly wraps his finger in some of Patrick's loose, stray hair that was curtaining over him. "You must be a lucky man, mister Patrick. ......Well, actually, I don't know if I'm much of a jackpot. Still—" Bright red eyes latch onto Patrick. "—will you go big or go home?" Is he teasing? Is he serious?
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick this is so fucking funny i am SOBBING
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Yeah alright, Patrick wasn’t expecting this amount of SMOOTH comin’ out of Tyler he’s feelin a little sweaty?! 
Regardless he.. doesn’t! Make a move to get off!!
“Well!” Clears throat, “you know yer just really fulla surprises ain’tcha Ty?” He lets out a chuckle, careful not to let the nervousness seep out. Can’t get out-smoothed man.
[CALM CHECK: 3]
But on god he was sweaty, was Tyler always this honey-tongued? Was his hair always this vibrant blue? Was his eyes as red as the blood that’s crawling onto his face? But he tries to shake it off, game or not he doesn’t wanna lose. If anything, he might just come outta here a winner?
“Well!” He says again, a nervous tick perhaps? “Maybe I should keep you wondering and stay like this for a little longer? I kinda like you in this angle” His lip quirked up to a smirk.
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
Regardless he.. doesn’t! Make a move to get off!!
“Well!” Clears throat, “you know yer just really fulla surprises ain’tcha Ty?” He lets out a chuckle, careful not to let the nervousness seep out. Can’t get out-smoothed man.
[CALM CHECK: 3]
But on god he was sweaty, was Tyler always this honey-tongued? Was his hair always this vibrant blue? Was his eyes as red as the blood that’s crawling onto his face? But he tries to shake it off, game or not he doesn’t wanna lose. If anything, he might just come outta here a winner?
“Well!” He says again, a nervous tick perhaps? “Maybe I should keep you wondering and stay like this for a little longer? I kinda like you in this angle” His lip quirked up to a smirk.
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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Tyler did his Very Best to choke down a snort. Oh yea, he was having fun alright, Patrick. Im so sorry he's like this The fact that Tyler has -1 CHA is killing m
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, but his eyes remained half-lidded. In a playful gesture, he tilted his chin up and turned his head a little. "Feel free to admire." The way Tyler spoke sounded less like a honeyed fake-narcissist and more like a man telling you what 5x5 was. In other words: confident in its unremarkableness.
He played with Patrick's hair some more, then used that finger to brush against Patrick's cheek, allowing the hand to settle lightly on the back of Patrick's head. His movements had the same rhythmic fluidity as an assembly line worker who'd been at the job for years.
In a low whisper, "You can come closer if you want a better look." on god li is going to execute me for real @shelfy 🍀 Patrick
The fact that Tyler has -1 CHA is killing m
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, but his eyes remained half-lidded. In a playful gesture, he tilted his chin up and turned his head a little. "Feel free to admire." The way Tyler spoke sounded less like a honeyed fake-narcissist and more like a man telling you what 5x5 was. In other words: confident in its unremarkableness.
He played with Patrick's hair some more, then used that finger to brush against Patrick's cheek, allowing the hand to settle lightly on the back of Patrick's head. His movements had the same rhythmic fluidity as an assembly line worker who'd been at the job for years.
In a low whisper, "You can come closer if you want a better look." on god li is going to execute me for real @shelfy 🍀 Patrick
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It was a good thing Patrick pulled away, because Tyler Probably Would Have Done Something Back AHAGAFDFGHJK adrian was right. homosexual activity.
Instead, he laughed.
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"Pfffffft.........." He let out a groan-giggle, as if Patrick told a really funny and really embarrassing dad joke. "Oh yeah, I'm swooning. ⭐" deadpan. "I can't even stand. You knocked me off my f-- Oh, I already used that one."
Patrick was.....funny. And fun. It was almost reliable in its own way.
.....No. No, the word Tyler was looking for was 'safe.' Patrick was Safe. The distance between them was Safe. Tyler could safely goof around, and safely expect a goofy response back. He was okay with Patrick's not-so-surprising (he'd seen types like this before ) skittishness. Because it made Patrick draw lines, put up walls.
It kept them Safe.
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick help tylers shitbrain derailed im so sorry AHGSDDXFCGHVBJNDK
) skittishness. Because it made Patrick draw lines, put up walls.
It kept them Safe.
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick help tylers shitbrain derailed im so sorry AHGSDDXFCGHVBJNDK
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Patrick continued to giggle! This was nice, he knows though, that he could continue, and they would both potentially get some ‘action’. From what he’s seen, he had known that Tyler wouldn’t have pulled away, known that they would plunge deeper into a.. steamier night! Easily!
In a way that made Tyler Dangerous.
It’s not like Patrick was against having a fun night, it’s more so because Tyler was a friend. While he’s the type to sleep with his friends should they need it, he wouldn’t be the first to instigate. There were lines, he’d rather not cross.
If he would sleep with anyone, he would rather it be strangers. One offs, people he wouldn’t have a growing attachment to. Tyler was not a stranger, and he was growing more and more attached to him already. He wouldn’t want to.. change that.
Or maybe Patrick was just a coward.
Regardless, “no reusing jokes!” He laughs, pushing himself off the floor finally and giving a hand to Tyler. “Come on, the bathroom floor ain’t a place to lie around. You’ll get your suit dirty!”
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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"Damn....guess that means you win, then," he said, taking Patrick's hand and using it to hoist himself up. Only Tyler could balance playful sarcasm with bland disinterest. "Congrats. 
" Happy pride!
"Your suit must have gotten dirty too. Maybe we should take them off— .....Kidding." A Tyler Joke™️. You are so funny. This is my laughing face i swear.
It may be surprising that Tyler picked up on Patrick's brainrot, but it transferred over the raspberry .
—Actually, Tyler just saw this all as a game naturally. Not in the way Patrick did (or someone like Aiden would). To him, it was all just mashing mounds of flesh together. It was just a body. They were just physical sensations. None of it really meant anything. None of it had to mean anything. Just two people, fulfilling monkey desires.
Not that Tyler was against romance. He just didn't see a need to factor it into an equation where it wasn't necessary or relevant.
But he understood most people didn't think like him. It was a pain, really. But that's why Tyler never initiated—part of it was that he had no strong desires of his own, but part was also because those who wanted it would just come seek it out. It would weed out the rest—those who put an unnecessary weight on emotional attachment. Tyler wasn't in the business of coercing people who were unsure or disinterested.
It was still fun to tease, though ❤️
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick hi sorry gang for tyler loredump feel free to ignore. good for you or sorry that happened i aint reading that tho
" Happy pride!
"Your suit must have gotten dirty too. Maybe we should take them off— .....Kidding." A Tyler Joke™️. You are so funny. This is my laughing face i swear.
It may be surprising that Tyler picked up on Patrick's brainrot, but it transferred over the raspberry .
—Actually, Tyler just saw this all as a game naturally. Not in the way Patrick did (or someone like Aiden would). To him, it was all just mashing mounds of flesh together. It was just a body. They were just physical sensations. None of it really meant anything. None of it had to mean anything. Just two people, fulfilling monkey desires.
Not that Tyler was against romance. He just didn't see a need to factor it into an equation where it wasn't necessary or relevant.
But he understood most people didn't think like him. It was a pain, really. But that's why Tyler never initiated—part of it was that he had no strong desires of his own, but part was also because those who wanted it would just come seek it out. It would weed out the rest—those who put an unnecessary weight on emotional attachment. Tyler wasn't in the business of coercing people who were unsure or disinterested.
It was still fun to tease, though ❤️
@shelfy 🍀 Patrick hi sorry gang for tyler loredump feel free to ignore. good for you or sorry that happened i aint reading that tho
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Patrick pulled Tyler up with a huff! Laughing at the other’s little jokes, it’s always funny to see him make jokes with such a straight face, it’s almost endearing if anything.
“Wow Ty, at least take me out to dinner first~” He teases, “Come on, there should still be some lobsters left, have you had any?” He walks towards the bathroom door, airy easiness in his voice hiding away the fact that he’s still thinking about it all.
Tyler was a surprising individual today, or maybe he always was and Patrick simply hasn’t noticed until just now. He couldn’t help but wonder what the other might be thinking, but he was relieved that he didn’t press or question.
We are simply bodies acting out of our most basic human desires. That much is true.
But isn’t it natural to bear feelings? Or rather, to be afraid of potentially emerging feelings. It could happen, even if it won’t. You never know. He’d rather not take that risk. He was a busy man after all, and busy men had no time for flighty fancies.
Still. Tyler had won this round, should there be a next time, he won’t let him go off easy!
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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"..... hey, Ky...?" How fucked up is my mans @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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My mans being Lok's mans. Not Lullaby's.
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There's a haziness to the world - a distance brought on by the familiar taste of bitterness in his throat. There's too many people - too many things happening - and the quiet of the bathroom is an escape. Kylik sits on a toilet in a stall, the door locked behind him. Here, at least, the walls around him are within reach. His vision swims. He needs - he's still too -
He slumps himself to the floor, feeling the ground rise up to meet his hands. Alright. This is. Not better, but more familiar. If the tile wobbles beneath him, then he knows, that it's just his mind.
He thinks vaguely, of how nice his suit is, and how he's ruining it with god know's what substance is on the floor of the stall. It makes him feel sick. Or maybe that's just the alcohol.
Never have I ever, been such a fucking disappointment.
He laughs at that thought, and it catches in his throat, and comes out a little closer to a cry. Pathetic.
And then there's a familiar voice, calling his name softly through the door.
This too, is punishment.
Kylik stills. Or he tries to. He looks at the stall door and its lock. Okay. Okay. He was fine. He was safe in here. Don't look at me, right now, please.
He doesn't speak, but the sound of his breathing echos.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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"..." They pause when he doesn't answer, the door swinging shut behind them with a thud that reverberates through the bathroom. He's breathing. They can hear it... but not responding? The fluorescence of the bathroom lights feel sickening.
That's odd. He's... usually responsive these days, even if the speech comes slow and tilted - not too different from their own at times. The two of them were better at doing than talking anyhow.
And so Lullaby does. Because if he isn't giving a reply, maybe it's not because he doesn't want but because he can't. And that's something that scares them.
"Ky!" They attempt to open each stall, until they find the one that's locked. ".... are you in there? Are you okay?" @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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Kylik keeps his eyes on the door like whatever lies beyond is a threat. Maybe it is. A threat to - his pride, any semblance of dignity he has, his heart spilled carelessly onto the floor.
But he can hear the worry in Lullaby's voice, and that feels like yet another failure. He's too heavy to bear it right now.
".....M'fine. I thought........I told you- to stay." He speaks in a rhythm of exhales. Lullaby shouldn't have followed him, into this small liminal space. Where the lines are blurred beyond recognition. "......It's- not. safe....here." The words slip out, and Kylik's not entirely sure what they mean, but he is certain of their truth.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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What isn't safe? Kylik huffs a laugh out at that. Everything? But in the end what he says is-
"You."
That feels true also.
He's become so weak, lately. To soft smiles, and softer lips. He is forgetting how to survive, because someone showed him how to live. It's terrible. (It's wonderful.) It's terrifying. It certainly isn't safe.
"...M'sorry." It feels bad then, to think of Lullaby like that. It's not their fault he's - like this. Like many many other things, this, is a responsibility that falls on his shoulders.
"...Not your fault."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Their breath catches, and then continues. Kylik's afraid of them.
They're suddenly glad for this barrier - this wall - this shitty, Meteor City bathroom stall-door that's the only thing between Kylik seeing the frankly pathetic expression that crosses their face. Shit.
What kind of friend are they? He must have - the closet... they understand now. Kylik must have been too kind to reject them outright, or too afraid to. They're 6'2 and built like a damn wall. Somewhere in between the play wrestling, the laughter and the pranks, they had forgotten that they can so easily be perceived as a threat. And here they were, following him and cornering him.
"I'm ..." Their voice is hoarse. "... I'm so sorry, Ky. I didn't..."
What have they done?
"... I just - I mean. I like you and I think you're, you know, you're ... an attractive dude, but I mean... it doesn't have to be anything. I'm just happy... I like being friends with you!" A laugh, weak. "I'm sorry. You probably...."
Think I'm disgusting. Thought I was using you. Something along those lines.
"............ we don't even have to be friends, if you don't want. I won't bother you anymore, so please don't be scared of me..." @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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Kylik isn't sure exactly what's happening, but it feels - wrong. They - won't be friends anymore? That. No. He doesn't - He suddenly wants - needs - to see Lullaby. To look at them, and know that they're here, and real and won't-
He reaches up to fumble with the stall door's lock, having to try mulitple times with clumsy fingers until the latch slides, door opening -
And he grabs onto Lullaby, hands reaching to cup a familiar face with an unfamiliar expression.
"....I....told you, to stay....didn't I?" He repeats, the words different this time. Stay here. Stay with me.
Except, it's still harder than he thought, to meet their eyes - he ends up, tucking his face into the nape of their neck, hiding. He's...ashamed again. He's still. terrified. It's easier to be distant, to not care - and that's also the reason why this is so hard.
"......I want you." It's a mournful confession. Shameful. "...I'm...afraid. To want you. Like- this-" He holds their palms together, fingers intertwining. "-But also- like........this." A soft kiss pressed to their throat. "...It's not...the same though. If- this- means it'll all- be...different."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby alirhgt gay people i lied about the no kissing i guess
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They had been frantic, desperate - fingers desperate for something out of grasp. That's how it's always felt. Chasing waves that pull away from reach, waiting for them to return. A never-ending dance. No, they did not want the tide to leave, but it's fine as long as they know that it will return. In the end, it is the edge of the water that they enjoy playing in; splashing and floating underneath the sunlight. Where it is warm, where it is easy, where it is constant. They love the shallows.
Kylik is a tsunami.
The weight is crushing - his heart in their hands, his body in their arms. Instinctively, they hold him close, press the hand that he's not holding to the back of his head, keeping him close.
The shore can do nothing but meet the sea, after all.
(But does it want to?)
(All that debris, shaken up. All the mud and bones, the dirt and decay, tossed aside by a storm it had no preparation for. Is the chance of finding something beautiful buried under all the ugly, all the blood, worth the risk? Worth the fracturing that comes from carrying a heart so heavy?)
(That's a harder question all-together.)
One for another day.
He gives a confession, and they give an embrace.
"..." They can't tell him not to be afraid, not when their own fear sits just below their rib-cage. They can't tell him that things won't be different, when they're not sure even what the present entails. "... I'm right here, Ky. I don't intend on going anywhere..."
But even that is tentative. Who knows what could happen at any moment?
There's only one thing they can promise.
They tighten the grip on his hand, plant a kiss in his hair, and speak it like a prayer in this linoleum church:
"I won't ever hate you." @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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it's okay. This is enough. It's probably the most anyone has ever given him - and maybe that says something, but he isn't listening to that right now.
Instead he presses his ear against Lullaby's chest, to feel their heartbeat.
If the world is cruel relentless waves, then right now, in this bathroom, Lullaby is a safe harbor. If it doesn't last, if it's washed away - then Kylik will simply find a way to swim, the way he always has. But it's nice, for once, to rest.
"...S'okay if you do." He mumbles. It would hurt, he knows, to be hated by Lullaby. That much is obvious. But perhaps there could still be a comfort in that - some tenuous connection between them - a branch of driftwood bleached by the surf and storm - turned into a hollow remain of what was, gone brittle and shaped into the unfamiliar - but still. Something.
In Kylik's mind, it would be much worse to be forgotten. To have it all crumble to dust, without a single token to prove they had ever existed in the first place.
He listens to the steady thump.
This, at least, he will remember. Will hold on to, when the waves come.
Will you do the same, Lullaby?
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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"I won't." They say it again, more certain this time. They won't hate him - a refusal for an outcome unimaginable. There is no world, they think, where they could hate someone like Kylik.
And they won't forget either. They've been sending love letters to the ocean as long as they can remember. Scribbled ink, spoken wishes into the roar of crashing waves.
Kylik, you've seen the notes they leave, the books they fill, the way they write.
How could you ever think they would forget?
There is a long silence, unless Kylik fills it, where they just hold him close,
give him shelter.
But they can't actually stay sitting on a bathroom floor forever. This is not exactly an ideal place for a heart to heart.
"... We don't have to be... or do... anything different." They pen their newest letter in oratory. No more 'laters', only now. "... let's just.... go from here? ... and maybe get you some water?"
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Alright.
"...........Yeah." He might not be completely sober, but the unsteadiness and panic are at least a far enough distance for him to stand, still leaning slightly against Lullaby's taller frame.
"...I could really....use...a drink." He blinks, and makes a pained expression. "...non. alcoholic."
He clears his throat, trying to ignore the scratchiness and the looming feeling that once he sobers up enough to process whatever the hell just happened, he'll find himself saddled with the strongest urge to shove his head into the dirt and never come out.
But, well - that's for later.
For now, he exits the bathroom with Lullaby, and tries hard to live in the present.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
THE FRUITS ARE GONE, area open!
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Jericho feels a desperate need to get a breather and enters the bathroom to do just that. He stands in front of the sink and checks his appearance to make sure he still looks collected. However, his moment to himself is broken when he realizes someone else is present.
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel 
playin fast n loose w/ the timeline wee woo cloning x3
playin fast n loose w/ the timeline wee woo cloning x3
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Practically exhausted due to socializing (re: “socializing”) and the ingestion of vodka, Luciel opted to freshen up by smacking cold water in his face in hopes of waking up. The result however… is simply him zoning out in the mirror until he noticed a familiar face beside him. “Ah… Jericho…?”
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@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho Thank you for having me as always 😣
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"If you're not good with alcohol you shouldn't drink at a company function. It's quite unprofessional to get intoxicated in front of your coworkers, don't you think?" Jericho says smugly, unable to resist the opportunity to gain some high ground over Luciel (who is physically taller than him).
He steps closer to Luciel to get a better look at him. "Wow, you really are drunk." He is just Rubbing It In Now.
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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“Ah… is that so…” he let Jericho’s words sink in for a moment. It really was unprofessional of him wasn’t it… and something he considered not doing—and yet, here we are.
A part of him seemed to shrink when Jericho stepped closer to him. His eyes downcasted with emotions that could only be closely defined with shame. “I suppose you’re right… I’m sorry… I just really wanted to… fit in with everyone is all…” he briefly wondered if Jericho going to scold him? Not that he didn’t deserve it, but his words seem to sting more than usual… maybe it’s the alcohol.
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"We're not in freshmen in college anymore, Luciel," Jericho says coldly. "You should know better than to behave recklessly for something as useless as 'wanting to fit in'." He folds his arms. "So. Do you have a ride prepared to take you back home or are you just going to amble around the halls drunk until you sober up?"
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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Something as useless as wanting to fit in… was that really so foolish to desire? Perhaps Jericho was right… his own lack of social tact is largely the reason for his inability to form proper relationships. Doing things he can’t in hopes of maybe… maybe forming a bond. It sounds silly to care so much about it at his age—especially when time makes it less willing for others to hold on.
“It is reckless… sorry…” he didn’t exactly know why he was apologizing for his actions… perhaps because it seems like it troubled Jericho? Unbeknownst that the motives for his tone was borderline mockery. “I don’t really know… I didn’t really… think this would happen so…” and if anything, all he could think about at the moment was wanting to drift.
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"For someone so intelligent you really are stupid." Jericho sighs. "I would think by twenty-seven you would know your limits." He gives him one last judgemental look before pulling out his phone.
"....I'll call you a taxi to take you back to your place." Jericho gestures for Luciel to follow him out the bathroom. "Come on. You owe me for having to play babysitter for you."
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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"Oh my god. Luciel. Stop talking." Jericho rolls his eyes. "Your first sorry was enough."
"And I'm not being kind. Do not misinterpret my actions. You're unbelievably drunk so now I have to do this." He ushers Luciel out of the bathroom to get him a ride home.
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel (IM OKAY WITH CONTINUING THIS IN DMS?? OR?? SINCE THEY R LEAVING THE BATHROOM )
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@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho I’ll dm you
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LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / picture-station
Original message was deleted.
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They uncork the wine bottle with their teeth, sticking the cork in their pocket and taking a swig.
"Alright.... hey... Cams, how tall are you?"
@JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford @li 📽 ernie
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"Do you want that in feet or metres?" She asks with a hum as she goes to put her bag down on a table.
"Normally I'm 5'7 or 1.7m but with these boots on I'm a solid 5'10~"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @li 📽 ernie
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That counts, right? That still counts. Her natural state. ".. Close enough."
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“There doesn’t happen to be any gloves in the accessories pile d’you guys reckon”
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“My scavengy…” 
“We should sign ‘em and sell ‘em for 100 credits apiece, I think.”
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"Oh.. are you going to take a pic of me.. alone?"
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Brain maths..... maths brain.. they're just gonna let Cam position them wherever they need to be. "Okay~!" Holds out a hand for Cam. @li 📽 ernie @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
Holds out a hand for Cam. @li 📽 ernie @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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“Someone shorter than 5’10” huh…”
Ernest reaches out for the camera.
“Alright guys, pose real pretty.”
Ernest reaches out for the camera.
“Alright guys, pose real pretty.”
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"Brie? You're so cheesy," she laughs, waving Ernie over to stand beside her.
"Aw Lullaby, I'd love that... Would be fun to see you beneath me~ or pick me up so we're equal," she chuckles at her own ideas before shaking her head. "You're both fine the heights you are.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @li 📽 ernie
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Cameron laughs at the white man stagger-jog and then when Lullaby effortlessly scoops Ernest up, looking into the camera with the other two. A bright smile is on her face once the time reached 0 as she looks at her friends.
"Now that's a photo to go down in the history books...or at least in my photo album!" Her friends were great.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @li 📽 ernie
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“Ahem- you don’t… gotta carry me…” His hands cling to Lullaby’s lapel like was afraid of falling off regardless.
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Their face is right near Ernest's. "Oh.. does it bother you?" Genuine concern that they might have overstepped, but there's a small grin on their face that says they're also Incredibly Amused.
And then they straighten up and set him down! Cam on back, they make their way over to the camera to set the timer again. "Do you rock climb?" @li 📽 ernie @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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Their face is right near Ernest's. "Oh.. does it bother you?" Genuine concern that they might have overstepped, but there's a small grin on their face that says they're also Incredibly Amused.
And then they straighten up and set him down! Cam on back, they make their way over to the camera to set the timer again. "Do you rock climb?" @li 📽 ernie @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"Hm?" She shakes her head while peering down at Lullaby as they walk towards the polaroid. "Nah, I was a flyer back when I was a cheerleader so this is no problem at all."
"Go Lullaby~" she chirps, doing a little cheer while they sort out the timer.
@li 📽 ernie @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They lift him into a princess carry! Hello.
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"Hm? I can be a little good luck charm~" She grins at Lullaby before practically squealing when they start running with her on their shoulders. So uncool but who needs to be cool with friends? She can let it go...for now.
"Rock climbing sounds like fun, let's do it one day!"
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He walking from the balcony when he spots Ernie, Lullaby, and Cameron all taking picture. How cute... he had to photo bomb it. He waits until he sees Lullaby set the time before sneaking his way over.
Okay 1....2... 3!
As the camera goes off for the photo he runs up and jumps into frame with his tongue sticking out. Blocking the other three from the photo.
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”Kitzinger!” he yelled. In shrimp position.
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Cassius wanders into the picture station, in search for his 'escort', Lullaby. He spots them easily, along with some friends, having fun. How nice
He stands near a wall, deciding not to interrupt, and checks his watch for the time. He could probably get away with leaving in half an hour...
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru
He stands near a wall, deciding not to interrupt, and checks his watch for the time. He could probably get away with leaving in half an hour...
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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Just in time, someone who seems free appears right into the scene.
She slinks out of her hiding spot, like a panther in the dark, and pounces...!
One lazy hand pats Cassius' shoulder as she emerges from the shadow like a ghost from The Gr*dge.
"..... you..... picture....."
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Ernest remained immobile because uh. He didn’t really know what to do- was asking to be put down rude? It’s not like he hated it but also he didn’t think he could stand being like this for much longer…… he felt small.
“Oh, it’s mütermilchen,” he points at Albert.
he felt small.
“Oh, it’s mütermilchen,” he points at Albert.
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Cassius turns to the hand on his shoulder to see it was Xiaoru. "Oh, it's you, Miss Zhang " She looked as sleepy as ever and Cassius brushed her hair out of her face, as per usual.
"A picture with me?"
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru
" She looked as sleepy as ever and Cassius brushed her hair out of her face, as per usual.
"A picture with me?"
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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They adjust Ernie's weight which, in turns, adjust Cam's. "Yeah - c'mon - we can do a group photo." @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
Oh wow this place has gotten.. busy?
"Uh - if everyone wants to squeeze in, we can do one big group picture?" @geeck 🌙 xiaoru @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius @hyu 👓 albert
@Robbie ⚖ Zeke
Oh wow this place has gotten.. busy?
"Uh - if everyone wants to squeeze in, we can do one big group picture?" @geeck 🌙 xiaoru @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius @hyu 👓 albert
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She obediently lets him brush hair out of her face like a cat accepting a pet and nods at his questiom, holding up her slip of paper from the scavenger hunt.
One photo! Save time, and efficient! She nods in agreement.
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“If not we could take two side-by-side photos and tape them together”
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"It'll be my final obituary photo before my untimely death." Like a good boy, he agrees and sets up the timer once again.
"Speaking of scavenger hunts, Rutherford youre a sagittarius right?"
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"Photo sounds good, then. Make sure you get my good side —"
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"But every side is a good side Albert"
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“Just make sure not to take up all the space ”
”
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Cassius reads over the slip of paper and understands what Xiaoru is implying. He smiles at her, sweeping her up into a princess carry and strolling into the frame.
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The photo goes off and - somehow - due to the power of Narrative, everyone fits in the frame. Mostly!
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Hooray! Hopefully no retakes necessary.
“Um. Thanks Luls, I’ll just uh…”
Hopefully no retakes necessary.
“Um. Thanks Luls, I’ll just uh…”
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She doesn't even need to stand! How wonderful! She looks up at Cassius with big affectionate eyes....
Uber #2 ....
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius sets Xiaoru down right after the picture shutter goes off. He gives Xiaoru a pat before heading over to Lullaby&Co.
"Lullaby, Sauer, Rutherford, Are you having fun?"
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @li 📽 ernie @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
Are you having fun?"
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @li 📽 ernie @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"Great job! Thanks for the photo, I'll be on my way. Lots of people to talk to, so little time. Y'know." He's leaving so he can enter another room ok bye.
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Phew.
“Oh, hi Mis- Cassius. Yeah, how’re you doin’?”
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"Hi Cassie." They go to give him a kissie on the cheekie. "Even more now that you're here." @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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They set Cam down. Go get 'im.
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No Uber..... She missed Kylik already.
She accepts being put down with mild disappointment.
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She gives the top of Lullaby's head a kiss as thanks before hopping down from them.
"Photobomber huh? How about I bomb you?!"
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”Uh oh.”
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She shuffles out to go find somewhere to play! 
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"I'm doing well," he says to Ernest. And then to Cameron, "-and you look fantastic, from anywhere ️"
Cassius smiles fondly at Lullaby's cheek kiss, and attempts to return it, although the height difference has him tiptoeing just to barely get his lips on their jawline.
"I was just stopping by to inform you that I'll probably be leaving in half an hour," he says to Lullaby. "I hope you enjoy yourself, though."
@li 📽 ernie @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
️"
Cassius smiles fondly at Lullaby's cheek kiss, and attempts to return it, although the height difference has him tiptoeing just to barely get his lips on their jawline.
"I was just stopping by to inform you that I'll probably be leaving in half an hour," he says to Lullaby. "I hope you enjoy yourself, though."
@li 📽 ernie @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"What-- why?" Visibly pouts, more expressive due to Mild Intoxication. "You should stay. Do you have somewhere else you need to be?" @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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“Lul’s right, the dinner probably isn’t even gonna be ready by then….” @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
He says that, but he’s on his tiptoes looming over the distance to see if he can catch Cameron dragging Zeke to hell by his ass.
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He freezes, as if waiting to be mauled before forcing himself to relax again " Ha ha whoooa is that a threat or a promise?" He deflects
@JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
@JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford
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"... well, no, I don't necessarily have somewhere else to be, parties just aren't really my scene." He gives Lullaby's pouty face a pat. "I can get dinner somewhere else, it's fine. More lobster for everyone else "
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @li 📽 ernie
"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @li 📽 ernie
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"How about both?!!" She uses that momentum from hopping off Lullaby to pounce at Zeke, hanging off his neck in a chokehold [STR: 20 ]
"Aww no you can't leave Caro!" She says in the midst of her inflicting pain. @Robbie ⚖ Zeke @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
]
"Aww no you can't leave Caro!" She says in the midst of her inflicting pain. @Robbie ⚖ Zeke @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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…Well, he understood that the most out of everything Cassius has ever said to him, surprisingly.
“There’s the balcony and roof if you need somewhere to get some fresh air,” he says in an understated tone.
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
“Oh shit-“
Ernest grabs the polaroid from the tripod and he’s gone to greener pastures.
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Cassius chuckles at whatever Cameron and Zeke are doing... as long as he was never on the receiving end of The Rutherford Choke Hold...
"Smells like the food is ready, go enjoy yourselves," he says. He meanders off in some vague direction that he thought was the exit.
"Smells like the food is ready, go enjoy yourselves," he says. He meanders off in some vague direction that he thought was the exit.
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They reach for Cass's hand. "C'mon, at least stay to eat for a bit. Don't you want to see how your contributions turned out? It'll.... make a lot of people happy." @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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"You think twice about photo-bombing now! Or poking the bear!!" Once her rage has dissipated she lets go of them to dust herself off, content no one stepped in to end this prematurely.
"You're lucky you're handsome or I would've done damage to your face." Ah, she felt limber now but she does offer Zeke a hand to help him up. As much as he pissed her off, he was still a friend. @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
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"Aw, Lullaby " Cassius is so very fond of them, but this whole lobster party turned formal felt like a very weird fever dream, not exactly like other business parties he'd attended before, but also too similar.
"It's the lobster making everyone happy, not my presence." He gives Lullaby's hand a kiss and waits for them to let go. @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
" Cassius is so very fond of them, but this whole lobster party turned formal felt like a very weird fever dream, not exactly like other business parties he'd attended before, but also too similar.
"It's the lobster making everyone happy, not my presence." He gives Lullaby's hand a kiss and waits for them to let go. @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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It's rare that Cass doesn't simply do what they want, go with the flow. He must ... really not want to be here.
They let go, forcing a small smile. "Your presence... makes me happy." But they'll let him go. @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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"You're so sweet, Lullaby ️ If you get too drunk later, you can call me." With that, he wanders away...
️ If you get too drunk later, you can call me." With that, he wanders away...
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[LULLABY EXITS]
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If she didn't feel more seen by the universe than she did before, Hayden feels like whoever was in charge of the scavenger hunt was just there to make her suffer in lust looking for someone in high heels. How was one even supposed to go about that normally? LOOK AT FEET ALL DAY? PREPOSTEROUS!!!!!!!! WHAT THE HECK!!! But she's here stalking around the photo station to get her task done in the most swift and less incriminating way possible... Oh was that her coworker from the corner of her eye? Hayden whistles, not even aware of how overly casual she's probably being. They did sit next to each other every day so what's the point of formalities anyway? "Damn, Solanales. Wanna show a bit of leg for the camera? " she says, tryna coax her deskmate into revealing whether she's got heels on or not SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!! @mei | cerise
" she says, tryna coax her deskmate into revealing whether she's got heels on or not SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!! @mei | cerise
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She strides over to the source of the voice- it was indeed from her deskmate Hayden, and it was also indeed from the area of the photobooth, who could've guessed-
Just as Hayden's luck would have it, Cerise's stiletto boots made a distinct sound on the venue floor.
"I thought it was you, Hayden..... Anyway, what was that? Something about my legs? What's wrong with them?" @Jacket 🤪 Hayden
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"Huh? Something wrong with them? Do you need me to check them out?" Already crouched down at the CLICK CLACKY sound of heels, like she's ready to INSPECT but obviously it's done jokingly. "They're beautiful."
"But I need you right now," She says, trying to gesture that she needs to borrow Cerise real quick for the scavenger hunt. It should be obvious without saying right??? "Sorry about pulling you away from whatever thrilling conversation you were having though! " Thankfully, there's still some self-awareness upstairs. She's still got manners despite throwing them in the blender first okay @mei | cerise
" Thankfully, there's still some self-awareness upstairs. She's still got manners despite throwing them in the blender first okay @mei | cerise
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Stares at Cerise for a solid 3 seconds before her face lights up @ the sight of the other woman's braincells rubbing together-- wait huh???? Well, it's not like she hasn't been put on the spot to improv act before.
"I'm afraid The King is running late on time, my love. But surely we can seal the deal ourselves with a kiss and a photo! " holds up the camera @mei | cerise
" holds up the camera @mei | cerise
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Hayden takes a FAT MOMENT (2secs @ most) to register what just happened. Surely Hayden thought she was the one with the upper hand here.
I suppose I could have you WAIT SHE DIDN'T ACCOUNT FOR THIS hmm--
But rather than thinking too deeply on it, she takes it as a gamble. HIGH RISK HIGH REWARD.
"Then I'll be all I can for you " takes Cerise's hand and kisses it CLICK CLACK PHOTO OP @mei | cerise
" takes Cerise's hand and kisses it CLICK CLACK PHOTO OP @mei | cerise
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"Yes, yes, my dear. Now if you will-"
She sinks down and taps her shoulder.
"I need a bit of proof you're wearing heels " holds up the camera again for this fucking shot @mei | cerise
" holds up the camera again for this fucking shot @mei | cerise
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"Ah, ... right." She puts her heel onto Hayden's shoulder and lifts up her hem slightly. It comes naturally to her for some reason.
Wait, ... right? The question mark enters her mind belatedly, but by then the deed is done. @Jacket 🤪 Hayden
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SHOOT TAKE A PANORAMA
Indeed, the deed is done and Hayden gives Cerise a quick kiss on the forehead as a thanks before throwing out a 
️ eace sign.
"Sweet, see you at work tomorrow, darling ♂️ 
✌️ " RUNS OFF AS QUICKLY AS SHE CAME @mei | cerise
Indeed, the deed is done and Hayden gives Cerise a quick kiss on the forehead as a thanks before throwing out a ️ eace sign.
"Sweet, see you at work tomorrow, darling ♂️ ✌️ " RUNS OFF AS QUICKLY AS SHE CAME @mei | cerise
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Finding her way to at last what seems like one of the quieter zones of the venue, Eden steals a glance at a nearby clock by the photo station. The night is, regrettably, still young. She feels the alcohol-induced veil of wooziness lift a bit and laments that she is too sober to be sitting alone at a party that she came to of her own volition.
A bright pink—& gaudy at best—hat catches the corner of her eye. Maybe she’d feel better if she put it on.
…
She does, just a bit.
@forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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Single finger gun at Eden at the 'Deez nuts' remark. "Thanks. I got a whole bunch in my Henway. 
"
Nods a 'hello' at Luciel. Curt, but gets the point across.
"A picture?" He thinks for a moment. "Sure, why not." Pause. "Should we all be wearing hats too?" @Li💤 ♟ Luciel @turtle | eden
"
Nods a 'hello' at Luciel. Curt, but gets the point across.
"A picture?" He thinks for a moment. "Sure, why not." Pause. "Should we all be wearing hats too?" @Li💤 ♟ Luciel @turtle | eden
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Tyler cocked an eyebrow, then mirrored Eden's movements, emphasising his own piercings. "Me too. Double bingo."
He thinks. He actually forgot what was his scavenger hunt. "Someone....tall, I think? 5'11" or higher?" Looks at Luciel. "You look tall enough; you'll do. Yay. I did it. "
He smirks, putting on his fedora (pointing and laughing at him). "
About 5 lbs." Starts chuckling to himself.
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel @turtle | eden I LOVE EDEN SM IM SO SORRY FOR TYLERRR AFDXCGDVBJNKDMDVHBJNDK
"
He smirks, putting on his fedora (pointing and laughing at him). " About 5 lbs." Starts chuckling to himself.
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel @turtle | eden I LOVE EDEN SM IM SO SORRY FOR TYLERRR AFDXCGDVBJNKDMDVHBJNDK
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"Ah... I am 5'11 actually.." he softly confirmed as he adjusted the hat Eden so kindly put on for him. He didn't quite understand the banter the other two were having.. but it seems that after a snap, this mini game will be complete...? He thought it was quite lucky they all managed to find each other like this...!
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Eden’s face falls--she can’t believe she walked right into it. Being just a touch sobered up, she gives Tyler and Luciel a vacant expression. Though as she turns her back to retrieve a polaroid camera for the group shot, the remaining residues of alcohol reactivate belatedly. The joke is suddenly very funny. Her shoulders shake, and she mumbles to herself, “Henway… no, that one’s good. ... Why is it so good?”
After her laughing fit dies down, she moves to Luciel’s side and holds the camera up in a hopeful attempt that the selfie can at the very least capture all three of them in the frame. “Okay, guys. Say cheese!”
The camera shutters.
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN i hate tyler ive been deceived AGAIN 😭 ...
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Tyler can't help but smirk along with Eden's laughter.
When the camera flashes, Tyler's smile is bright and genuine. The warmth and love of friendship radiates through the photo.
"Cheez nuts!" (sorr y . im s osorry . im sO SORRY...)
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel @turtle | eden
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i forgot this like a moron. pretend i put it in thr right place
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Jokes flying over his head… he is nothing but a boring boomer at heart. Although the thought that he’d manage to take a commemorative photo—even if it was due to a mini game—made his chest feel warm. “Cheese…” a small, gentle smile that held nothing compared to Tyler and Eden’s—but it conveyed his feelings nonetheless.
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we all vanish from the room inexplicably. the room is free :)
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She nods an affirmative and holds the diamond up to the camera... though it looks less like someone showing of the fruits of a successful heist and more like... well.... a very tired person holding up a fake diamond.
"....monds...." She mumbles out in response, leaning in to fit within the frame. Her expression is as stoic as ever.
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How charming, he thinks. He again sets her down, handing her the processed ‘heist’ photo and saving the other for himself. “Thank you for indulging me. If you ever need anything, just look for the freakishly tall guy!” He chimes while pointing at himself.
June subsequently assists Xiaoru in finding her next desired location before bidding her a good evening
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru AW NO YOURE FINE I sleep now and I am busy tmrw so that’s a good idea YES YES thank you for the rp I care for xiaoru so hard
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru AW NO YOURE FINE I sleep now and I am busy tmrw so that’s a good idea YES YES thank you for the rp I care for xiaoru so hard
Exported 156 message(s)
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / picture-station-2
duck bill sneefs ty lok
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Until she circled back to the picture station, Eden couldn’t find a room with decent enough lighting to be able to meticulously inspect the thick coat in her hands. By touch alone, it was easy enough to guess that she could pawn it off for credits beyond her wildest dreams… but really, she wanted to know how many of those wildest dreams she could afford with it.
In the brighter lights of the photo station, Eden kneads the fancy fabric around in her hands until her eyes land on the label on the top collar.
Christian ️ ior.
She's deflated. She has no idea who that is.
@ren | rhett
️ ior.
She's deflated. She has no idea who that is.
@ren | rhett
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"Aha, yes!"
Enter stage left, the red-haired devil dressed in all black.
"It's Miss Westbrook, the woman with whom I am utterly, madly in love with, the keeper of my coat, and just the person I am looking for."
His voice is dripping with sarcasm and grandeur as he steps into her personal bubble.
@turtle | eden drive safely !!
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Suddenly, Eden feels absolutely sick to her stomach. She genuinely can’t tell—could it be the unsavory presence of the person she wanted least to see in the waning hours of the party, or is it just alcohol poisoning? Please, Eden prays, if any higher power has any measure of clemency. Please, be the latter.
When her eyes confirm the truth of the former, as the red-haired—devil is correct—glides into view, Eden huffs a pained sigh. Either higher powers do not exist, or they are merciless.
“I told you,” she states plainly, a faint grimace carved into her lips. “Eden. Eden’s fine. And, look, this is a misunderstanding.” She can feel her cheeks heat up. Even though—really—she’s not really even in the wrong! “You can’t get a girl a drink and hand her your expensive Bior coat and not expect her to think you’re, you know, after something.”
I’ve met plenty of men like you, Eden hisses in her head, lightly furrowing her brow.
“Are you looking to get your coat back?” With a quick head-to-toe assessment, she guesses his outfit, even sans coat, is more expensive than her entire wardrobe. “Doesn’t look like you’d miss it much.”
@ren | rhett
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"It's called being a nice guy." A flash of pearly white can be spotted as he beams at her once more. "Did I miss the memo -- is bringing a colleague pick-me-up coffee and offering a coat to someone dressed lightly considered flirting?"
Another obnoxious laugh.
"I must've flirted with almost the entire office by now."
"Miss Eden, then." He reaches for her hand. "You may return the coat to me in the office later. I wouldn't want you catching a cold on the way home."
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The birdie bites back!
"I have standards -- and sadly, you aren't quite my type."
@turtle | eden
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“Oh, woe is me,” Eden whines, her eyebrows knitting together and hand moving to massage her sternum. Then, after the charade: “Frankly, this is the best compliment I’ve gotten all month.”
The sting of embarrassment from the rooftop is still a bit fresh, and so, yes, she’s acting bitter. But in the end, he’s (oh, yeah, what’s his name anyway?) still her coworker—a thought that deposits a sharp and sour taste in her mouth—and as obnoxious as he comes across, he seems mostly harmless. All bark, no bite. Like a dog that’s not particularly well-trained but isn’t out for blood, either. So Eden lays off.
“I almost hate to ask, but what brings you here anyway?”
@ren | rhett
“I almost hate to ask, but what brings you here anyway?”
@ren | rhett
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His hand moves up to her hair, grazing the strawberry blond wisps framing her face, gaze lingering on her exposed nape, before dropping back down to his side.
"Warm-toned hair. I need a photo, remember? Would you grace me with your presence?"
@turtle | eden
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Against her greatest wishes, Eden’s face reddens at the sudden and intimate approach. She’s not drunk enough to tolerate the male gaze from a coworker right now and this late into the night. Where’s HR when you need them most?
“Oh,” she says when he reminds her of his purpose, brows raising in understanding. “Oh, that’s right. The pretty boy wants something from me. Is this how you act around someone you want something from?”
Eden looks away. “Anyway. I get the feeling someone like you wouldn’t want to be seen with someone like me—you know, since I’m not your type. Maybe you should grab someone a little bit more down your alley, like June, or Cam, or … well, I could sit here listing off our coworkers until daybreak. I wouldn’t want to be the one to ruin your image.”
Mostly because you do it so well yourself, but she holds her tongue.
@ren | rhett
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Eden can’t quite put her finger on what it is, but she feels a lick of satisfaction when he doesn’t get his way. Karma is sweet.
Then she notices he hover-hands her, and she desperately bites back a bark of laughter. Truly harmless.
Eden smiles for the camera.
Down, doggie.
@ren | rhett
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Exported 16 message(s)
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / rooftop
Original message was deleted.
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After making a beeline to the tables and gathering his fill of Free Lobster, Tyler booked it to Outside, where it is Quiet. Not that he disliked mingling; he just felt out of place. He didn't really know what to do—or what he was even supposed to do. He'd head back at some point tho....even if it was just to steal the breadsticks for later.
God, he hadn't been to a party like this since highschool. Well, no, his highschool parties were WAY cheaper and lamer. But the vibes were the same. How long ago was that.....7, almost 8 years? Yeesh. And in that amount of time, Tyler hadn't changed at all. Unremarkable as always. Stagnant as always.
The only difference was that now he was wearing a different suit.
Tyler walked up to the fence. He considered sitting down, but...his suit. It was so.... 
coughs. It was worth more than his entire person. He didn't want to ruin it.....especially not since it was his. only one. Instead, he linked his fingers through the chains of the fence and let the gentle wind rustle his hair, like an anime boy. @xia :capitalism: adrian
coughs. It was worth more than his entire person. He didn't want to ruin it.....especially not since it was his. only one. Instead, he linked his fingers through the chains of the fence and let the gentle wind rustle his hair, like an anime boy. @xia :capitalism: adrian
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After the last disastrous mission, Adrian was... on edge, to say the least. He'd gone with a daring outfit—a white suit, at a venue full of food, drinks, and Evil Coat-Ruining Coworkers. Despite it all, he was determined to at least enjoy some of the food he'd so generously sponsored.
He had no real desire to socialize, anyway. Half of his coworkers scared the hell out of him, frankly, and the other half...
Well, he was still on the fence about the other half.
Still, it was nice to be back in familiar surroundings—no matter what country you were in, fancy socials were always the same. With a glass of wine (white, just in case any Unfortunate Spills occur this time) in his gloved hand, he carefully slipped away from the buzz of activity inside, climbing the stairs to the rooftop. Cracking open the door quietly, he blinked in surprise: someone else was already there.
His dreams of sipping wine in solitude and staring down at the Meteor City skyline like a rich anime boy were crushed, but at least he recognized that hair. The suit, though, still surprised him: he would never get used to seeing Tyler in formal wear, least of all a well-tailored suit at that.
Adrian lingered in the doorframe, swirling the wine around his glass in silence as he debated whether or not to approach Tyler. Tyler seemed at ease up here; maybe it was better not to interrupt, after all.
Friendship. It was seeming more and more like an impossible goal—or at the very least, a waste of his time. Still, though...
He cleared his throat, shifting his weight nervously. @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN
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Tyler's thoughts were interrupted by...coughing? He cracked his head backwards— Oh! Adrian.
He spun around.
"Hey." He held up a hand in a casual half wave. His voice was ever so slightly more gentle than his usual monotone, if you knew what to look for.
But perhaps what might be the most strange to Adrian was the way he looked: he looked—well—his age. Maybe it was the suit, or the hairstyle, or mask of a starry night, (or all of the above) but he looked almost as if he belonged. The padding on his suit accentuated his already broad shoulders—surprisingly so, given the way he typically carried himself. His legs looked a bit longer, taller. Ah, the magic of a well-fitting suit. As if to ensure it was still Tyler after all, his most youthful features—his long eyelashes—glittered under the moonlight.
Tyler eyed Adrian's plate. It seemed Tyler wasn't the only one with that idea. Not that it surprised him; Adrian and Tyler were on the same wavelength more often than they weren't. Even though Adrian could often be..........[gestures], Tyler found him enough of a breath of fresh air that he was willing to overlook Adrian's....quirks. Even if they were a pain.
Though came out here to hide, he hoped Adrian would stay. It would be nice to have some company. And he liked talking with Adrian.
He wasn't going to voice any of that, though. @xia :capitalism: adrian ill b faster now i pwomise
ill b faster now i pwomise
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Tyler nodded back. "Go ahead." He made some room for Adrian, and eyed Adrian's.....contraption. It was frankly a wonder he managed to balance it all with one hand. In another life, he would have made a great server, but alas. He never had to work a day in his life. The last mission was evidence of that.
Speaking of...
"How are you feeling?" It was abrupt and out of the blue, as all of Tyler's comments were. For as much as Tyler liked to give his coworkers shit for being indecipherable, Tyler was equally cryptic. Was he talking about the party? Was he talking about last mission? Was he talking about Adrian's arm. Who knows! Well, Tyler did. And to Tyler it was obvious.
@xia :capitalism: adrian my variable post lengths
The last mission was evidence of that.
Speaking of...
"How are you feeling?" It was abrupt and out of the blue, as all of Tyler's comments were. For as much as Tyler liked to give his coworkers shit for being indecipherable, Tyler was equally cryptic. Was he talking about the party? Was he talking about last mission? Was he talking about Adrian's arm. Who knows! Well, Tyler did. And to Tyler it was obvious.
@xia :capitalism: adrian my variable post lengths
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Tyler's eyes were fixed to Adrian as he spoke. Listening earnestly, intently. Tyler had asked a question, and Adrian knew far more about this topic than him. It was an important perspective; one he appreciated.
He hummed, moving his gaze to the cityscape beyond, captured by thought. Were there really socialites at this party, though? Or wealthy businesspeople? Tyler supposed it could just be a power-play—a display of some sort of desirable attribute (Wealth? Generosity? who knows) that would catch the eye of whomever it was intended for. But then...wouldn't that make more sense coming from the company, rather than independent workers?
....Were they just trying to kiss up to Law?
The world of those with disposable cash to burn truly mystified Tyler. Still, he chuckled at Adrian's last comment.
"Maybe that's not such a bad thing. Even if I don't get it." He chuckled again. "It certainly explains a lot about you." top 10 anime moments before disaster @xia :capitalism: adrian
The world of those with disposable cash to burn truly mystified Tyler. Still, he chuckled at Adrian's last comment.
"Maybe that's not such a bad thing. Even if I don't get it." He chuckled again. "It certainly explains a lot about you." top 10 anime moments before disaster @xia :capitalism: adrian
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@xia :capitalism: adrian
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He was prepared for a lot of things—but not for Tyler to burst out laughing. Adrian waited with bated breath, steak-mid-chew; his eyes drooped into a decent rendition of a dejected puppy's.
Tyler was laughing at him. Cackling, even.
Maybe Adrian just didn't understand what it was like at all, really, to know... normal people. Normal people, for whom money was a concern, who seemed to socialize so easily, falling into each other's rhythms and patterns so effortlessly, as if they danced to a beat that only Adrian couldn't hear. He wasn't good at these things; he'd always been better at lying. He was only good at socializing when there was a clear transaction involved, contracts written in alcohol ink and signed with a disarming smile and a silver tongue.
But then Tyler caught his breath, and—damn it. He was talking, but in that irritatingly honest way of his; Adrian shied away from it as much as he envied it, the way Tyler always seemed to speak his mind freely, unburdened by concerns of shame or image or pride.
"My ass is worth the most money," he muttered. He didn't know if it was true. Frankly, he didn't care.
Maybe you just bring out the best in me. He's never heard anyone say something like this to him—has never imagined a situation where it'd be applicable, even. Adrian was frustrating, stubborn, arrogant—if anything, he brought out the worst, in most. The offhand remark took him off-guard, settling warmly in his gut. It was... nice. Unfamiliar, but appreciated.
Maybe Adrian just didn't understand what it was like at all, really, to know... normal people. Normal people, for whom money was a concern, who seemed to socialize so easily, falling into each other's rhythms and patterns so effortlessly, as if they danced to a beat that only Adrian couldn't hear. He wasn't good at these things; he'd always been better at lying. He was only good at socializing when there was a clear transaction involved, contracts written in alcohol ink and signed with a disarming smile and a silver tongue.
But then Tyler caught his breath, and—damn it. He was talking, but in that irritatingly honest way of his; Adrian shied away from it as much as he envied it, the way Tyler always seemed to speak his mind freely, unburdened by concerns of shame or image or pride.
"My ass is worth the most money," he muttered. He didn't know if it was true. Frankly, he didn't care.
Maybe you just bring out the best in me. He's never heard anyone say something like this to him—has never imagined a situation where it'd be applicable, even. Adrian was frustrating, stubborn, arrogant—if anything, he brought out the worst, in most. The offhand remark took him off-guard, settling warmly in his gut. It was... nice. Unfamiliar, but appreciated.
I wouldn't do it if it wasn't you.
There was a moment—a brief moment—where Adrian swallowed, unsure of what the words even meant. Who was he, really? What did he offer anyone? The face he showed Tyler was radically different from the one he'd shown back home, and there was an endless assortment of masks he'd learned to put on over the years to entertain, to please, to placate, always at the whim of some wealthier authority, be it his father or his associates. He wasn't sure, exactly, what "being him" even entailed.
But if Tyler liked it, it was enough, he supposed. Enough to keep trying. To keep polishing the mask until it became a face, even. A friend.
He paused, considering, and then let out a sigh of relief, tension draining from his body. He even managed to swallow the rest of his steak: a perfect medium-rare, served with the delicious sauce of Non-Homosexual Friendship.
"My wallet can take a lot more damage," he said, deadpan.
Then: "Well. Okay." An awkward shift, fingers tapping the rim of a wine glass, tensing over fabric, smoothing over concrete. "...I'm glad."
"You're..." His Vulnerability Engine coughs and wheezes, before sputtering to a stop. "You're alright."
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(Postscript: his ears are Bright Red. Do with this information what you will.)
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Tyler laughed again. This was it—this was the company he enjoyed so much from Adrian. In a stressful job full of stressful people, Adrian was an oasis. Few people at work got Tyler like Adrian did.
No— Few people period got Tyler like Adrian did. Tyler would be the first to admit he didn't have many friends.
But he was glad Adrian was one of them.
"Thanks!" His dry deadpan had a bit of a playfully sarcastic edge. "I think you're alright too." He chuckled again, in the way that Tyler always laughed at his own jokes.
"Pfft......And I'm glad your ass is expensive and your wallet is fireproof...pfthahahaha..." He could barely choke that out between the increasing giggles.
After another (blessedly much shorter) laughing fit, he calmed himself again, and looked at Adrian.
And smiled.
Warm, tender, full of affection and trust and comfort. Tyler was not the most sunny of people, but under the moonlight, he seemed to glitter.
He extended a hand to Adrian. "You done with your food yet? It's getting chilly." Perhaps the least honest thing Tyler had said the entire night (but it really was kind of chilly).
He trusted Adrian to be able to read between the lines. @xia :capitalism: adrian
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Tyler laughed at him again—but this time, it didn't feel so bad.
Adrian's lips quirked up in a gentle smile as he took the outstretched hand.
"Yeah. Let's go."
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alright you two get a (heterosexual) room.
a room that isnt this one
[ ROOM FREE! ]
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Despite the rushing sound of cars far below and the subtle whistle of the wind, Rhett hears the rooftop door open and close, accompanied by gentle foosteps. Company -- not that he minds. Not at all.
"Miss Westbrook!" His face breaks into a smile as he approaches her -- unaware that she was purposefully keeping her distance. He drapes his jacket across her bare shoulders. "You'll catch a cold if you're up here for too long in just your dress."
Rhett blinks and nods to himself, as if affirming something. "You are just the person I am looking for."
@turtle | eden
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He laughs. A deep, rolling, shoulder-shaking sort of laugh.
I'm not really interested in dating in the workplace.
Those words, said to him instead of coming from his mouth. Miss Westbrook, the slim, homely type, always with her nose stuck in her work, bright-eyed and awkward, like a baby deer. Boring. He may have insatiable desires but that didn't mean that he'd eat everything presented.
"Excuse me --" he says but descends into laughter once more. When he finally catches his breath, he claps a hand to her shoulder.
"You must be mistaken. I need to take a photo with someone with 'warm-toned-hair'." He shows her the mini-game card with the statement, accompanying it with a grin. "I'm going to join the rest of the party now, but perhaps I'll grab you later-- and oh, keep the jacket. For now." A statement meant to have her find him to return it later.
With a casual toss of his hand, Rhett disappears from the rooftop.
grin. "I'm going to join the rest of the party now, but perhaps I'll grab you later-- and oh, keep the jacket. For now." A statement meant to have her find him to return it later.
With a casual toss of his hand, Rhett disappears from the rooftop.
RHETT LEAVES THE AREA!
@turtle | eden
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Eden suddenly feels hot, but much to her chagrin, it’s not because of the jacket. In her experience, a guy gets you a drink, offers you his coat, and you go on a date. To save them and their coworkers any awkward tension caused by a much-too-late rejection, she wanted to nip any possible romantic lead in the bud early. But now that she’s caused it … Eden buries her face in her hands. She’s doubly burned, considering he left with the last word this time, too.
She takes off the jacket in an effort to cool down—keep it? She thinks she can sell it for a pretty penny instead. Donate it to a good cause, like MC’s recent respectable slug conservation efforts.
Eden heads straight to the bar and will stop for no one on the way.
room free now 😌
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Jericho stands on the rooftop and takes a moment to collect himself. The party is bustling and he needs some time to calm his nerves before seeking out Cerise to say 'Hello. Nice evening and dress you have on there. Goodbye.' Honestly he's regretting getting so dressed up. He hasn't put on eyeshadow in...how many years? Does it even look right? He doesn't have a mirror to check. Maybe he should have stayed in the apron??? God damn it. But it's too late. The makeup is on him and he doesn't have makeup remover.
Jericho takes another deep breath. Less thoughts, less thinking. The stars aren't visible but the city lights are pretty.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
Jericho takes another deep breath. Less thoughts, less thinking. The stars aren't visible but the city lights are pretty.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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He moseys in, sipping on something with coconut rum and grenadine. His gray suit is unbuttoned and flutters in the evening breeze. Patsy notices Lullaby and Jericho off to one side -- he spares them both a wave before going to sit on the concrete near the roof's edge.
It's nice out here, overlooking the lights of a bustling city. The night feels full of possibilities.
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Jericho turns at the familiar voice and raises a brow at who he sees. "Oh. You," He says, neither friendly or unfriendly. Just a simple observation. It figures Lullaby would eventually whimsically wander up to the rooftop to think about...life and humanity or whatever it is that goes in their brain.
"You look...." Good. "....different," He says, settling on another observation. "What are you doing up here? Did you get bored?"
In his periphery he notices someone else join them on the rooftop. Patsy? Is it? He gives him a curt nod of acknowledgement.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @Gabbo 📻 Patsy
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"You look pretty ... different yourself." They grin, eyeing him up and down. Is that makeup? A top with sparkles? Somehow in his formal wear, he looks .... less stiff. Lullaby grins and tilts their pack of cigarettes, a silent and familiar offer. "... Good different. Not that ...." It's Jericho. ".. y'know."
"And nah, not really much to get bored of down there."
They glance over at Patsy.
A shake of their cigarettes. They don't know if he smokes but -- they're polite.
"Want one?" @Gabbo 📻 Patsy @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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(Jericho's sarcasm only widens their grin)
"As awful and wonderful as always." A laugh. "It's a ... nice crowd, good folk." They're unwillingly fond of this group of coworkers. Who knew that having a job could have perks (they literally do almost no work).
As Jericho lights Patsy's cigarette, they hold out their own. Hello? Forget someone?
"Did you end up actually cooking the lobsters?"
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Patsy takes a drag of his cigarette... and immediately steps back to start hacking and coughing. "OOGH--! Jesus Christ, you roll this yourself or something? Or am I just too old to smoke now?" He bends over to rest his hands on his knees as he wheezes, and a little ash gets on the gray pants of his suit from holding the cigarette between his fingers.
It takes him a minute for his breathing to return to normal, but as it does the detective stands back up to his full height with a catlike stretch. "I know there's a number of folks here older than I am, but God do I feel like a geezer sometimes... Can't even smoke without busting a lung..."
Patsy attempts another drag, and this one goes better than the first, with minimal wheezing. "Maybe I'm just outta practice..."
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Damn, this Jericho Vidali was a rude one... He'd heard rumors around the office, mainly secondhand from Ernest, but Patsy hadn't imagined anyone could be rude to, well... him, a reserved yet sincere single father of two.
He breathes a sigh of relief at the man's prompt exit, before turning back to Lullaby. "Y-yeah, I'm good... Outta practice, like I said..." He takes another drag and taps out the ashes with two fingers. "Actually, I wanted to... talk to you in private... And seeing as there's no one else up here, now might be a good time..."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Oh man. They take a long drag, gaze unfocusing for a moment - a second to prepare - before looking back at Patsy. If this was a lecture, they're glad they started drinking early.
".... um... yeah? Hit me.." @Gabbo 📻 Patsy
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He shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot, trying to put words into his own mouth. A drink could only start so many conversations. "I wanted to thank you for that letter... It was really nice of you to apologize, especially after I overreacted. I'm just, uh, still dealing with the fallout of my last relationship, I guess..."
In one swift motion, Patsy downs the rest of his mixed drink. It burns, sugary sweet in the back of his throat. At some point he stopped looking Lullaby in the eye and began to focus on their shoes. "It can be hard to let certain memories go... Certain people go..."
Waking up to an empty bed one morning. The morning turns into a week, a month, a year of leaving flyers on telephone poles and post boxes with a face and a name attached. The rain washes out her features. Time ambles on. "But I think it might be time to..." Move on. "...Fuck, I dunno. This got really heavy, huh...?"
In the end, he can't bring himself to say it.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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"Thanks, Lullaby..." He props his cigarette between his lips and uses the free hand to rub his eyes. It has to be the smoke, or summer allergies or something... He couldn't afford to be sad on a night like this.
"Excited... is fine. It's good to get excited about things," he mumbles through the cigarette filter. Though the idea that someone could get excited about kissing him was a lot to process. Patsy is a man who rarely finds himself excited about anything, his own kids excluded.
Music wafts up through the stairwell like the smoke of their cigarettes, notes intertwining with nicotine in the cool air of a June night. Patsy recalled in the back of his mind that it was almost the solstice. Taking the spent smoke, now just a filter and some ash, from between his lips, he drops it and stamps it out underfoot. Patsy finally looks Lullaby in the eye.
"You don't gotta listen -- not yet, at least. But I'd be pleased to bits if we could share a dance... Up here, just the two of us..."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They're not much of a dancer, but who are they to refuse such a sweet request? A smile quirks up their lips and broadens into a grin. They hold out a hand.
"What kind of dance?" A pause. "... Okay, caution - I only really somewhat know the waltz. And maybe foxtrot, but that one's batting at 20%." @Gabbo 📻 Patsy
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The record playing seems to have ambiguous lyrics, but the melody itself is almost... uplifting, despite having a melancholic undertone to it. I suppose it's up to you how you take it to heart.
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"I'll lead. My folks made me take ballroom classes in middle school..." Patsy gently takes Lullaby's hand, bridging the gap between them in a few small steps. He rests his other hand at the small of Lullaby's waist, just barely brushing against the cloth of their suit jacket. He counts the beats of the music against the other's wrist. 5, 6, 7, 8...
And it begins. Three steps, over and over, across the roof in synchronicity. "Mm, this is a good song..." Patsy doesn't know it, but he tries to hum along to underlying instrumental as he keeps time.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Patsy sways them both to the music as it winds down to a finish, his fingers slowly trace their way down to Lullaby's hipbone, gently resting against their side. He finds the unprompted mention of Lullaby's own loss surprising, eliciting a raise of his eyebrows before he forces his expression to return to placidity. "You don't have to tell me about that if you don't want to..."
The detective is only so open regarding his loss due to unbidden attention from his admittedly nosy coworkers. Zeke and his fat mouth... Patsy doesn't wish the same on anyone else. He quirks his lips into the slightest of smiles and focuses on Lullaby's new question. "Mm, I braid hair pretty good. Give me your cigarette."
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Watching him like
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Patsy takes a long drag from the cigarette, and breathes out slowly. The evening breeze feels crisp on the back of his neck. He imagines kissing Lullaby, just to know what it feels like, to exhale smoke only for someone else to inhale deeply against his lips. To share the taste of menthol and nicotine, both drunk off the alcohol in their bellies and riding the high of persons intertwined.
But the ashes are spent, and there is only a flickering filter between his fingers now. And so he is left to imagine, and do with those daydreams what he will. If only Albert had not encouraged him to think...
Patsy stomps the final embers out on the concrete rooftop. "Thank you for the dance, Lullaby... And for listening..." He makes the first move to leave.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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And just like that, it's over.
Like coming out of a stupor, they are suddenly aware of how different the air feels without someone to share it with. Their arms are empty of all warmth - human or flame - and they stick their hands in their pockets. A soft smile lines their face.
"Anytime, Pats." A pause. Nah - they'll follow up with him later. Maybe ask him for another dance.
They watch him leave but stay behind for a moment, giving some space between the conversation and returning to the party. They'll return on their own time.
Jericho was right, in the end,
they're here to think about life and humanity and whatever goes on in their brain.
ROOM OPEN (unless Gabbo has smth else to add)
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On the search for a quiet place to rest her feet, Xiaoru stumbles towards the quiet rooftop. A relatively empty space and a nighttime view. It's a nice feeling, interesting and unique. Something about being so high and seeing the world as dots and specks of light. It was... different. And Xiaoru liked different.
She kicks off her heels and perches herself up on the edge of the rooftop second level, hanging her feet off the edge and swinging them in the cool summer night. A small cocktail glass placed next to her.
It'd been a while since she'd last escaped a party like this, she reminisces. How many years now...
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Mm. For some reason he was expecting an extravagant rooftop garden and terrace, but what he got was some brutalist abomination accessorized with chain link fencing. It has the signature of most of the sad industrial buildings of Meteor City. Even the sky line was nothing special, a thin veil of smog illuminated by unnatural lighting of the sleepy metropolis.
June kicks his shoe against the fence, looking up and noticing a small shadow. He sees its dress billow in the breeze. It was in fact a person- probably escaping the chaos inside. A wave of concern rushes through him since they are pretty close over the edge. "Yo~ You alright?" He hums, trying to maintain his cool.
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Someone joins her up on the rooftop, though she doesn't turn her head away from the distant view to see who it is. Some people came up to be alone after all, and she wasn't looking to break the silence for either of them.
But they call out to her, and she blinks out of her reverie. She leans forward and down, dangerously so, to see who it is that called out to her, and waves at them languidly.
Hello.
Was she alright? Yes she was feeling alright.
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He recognizes the soft, languid expressions of the detective who herded away all the dinosaurs in the Anomamon case. To think someone so small held so much power.
Xiaoru's bend forward makes his heart race; she really was literally on the edge. And she didn't answer his question- maybe her mind was preoccupied? "H-Hello! Got room for one more?" He shuffles over.
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He makes his way up, sitting a polite distance away from the woman and eyeing the glass in her hand. June can't help but notice her small build and quiet demure. The woman clad in shimmering white and blue silks, dwarfed by the concrete jungle creeping up behind her; something inside him wanted to protect her, though, it isn't always the case of someone needing protection. She is, of course, entirely capable of taking care of herself and it seemed, in this moment, she was fine on her own.
"You look divine, Ms. Zhang! Lovely evening isn't it? Have you been enjoying yourself?" His stomach growls- he has yet to eat or drink. He looks in the distance, smiling. "The city has a weird aura, doesn't it?"
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She nods as she listens to him explain his plight. Just like she'd enlisted the aid of Cassius for her scavenger hunt, it seemed it was her turn to be enlisted.
She didn't really mind having her photo taken or anything, and not as if she were in the middle of anything in particular, but...
".... I don't mind... but..." She gestures down at her bare feet, heels off to the side. She'd done quite a bit of standing already tonight and her feet were a bit tired. She wasn't much in the mood to walk all the way over to the photo booth.
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"Hm?" He blinks, following her line of vision and happens upon two tiny shoeless feet and the decadent heels that rested on the ledge. Yes, of course- he understands the plight of breaking into new heels. No wonder she chooses to sit, her feet must be killing her.
"Oh- Ms. Zhang, forgive me!" June stands up, brushing off his slacks and offers his hand. "I'd be happy to assist." 
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Well.... she'd preferred to not move entirely.... she sighs a bit and gently places her hand in his outstretched one. Going with him still sounded more interesting than her previous parties.
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He sees her struggle a bit....
ONWARD THEY GO TO THE PICTURE STATION!!
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... Until he gets to the rooftop. He hoists himself over and looks over the ledge, was Lullaby okay? @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They do this shit for fun. Yeah, they haul themself up, giving him an amused expression. @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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See? Lullaby was up to speed on this. There wasn't a need for explanations, Morris had commended Lullaby on their keen introspection before and he'll rely on it again.
Honestly he hates the idea of playing with people's feelings over a game, and he would not, especially those feelings that belong to the detectives of LQCC were more fragile than they let on.
'Go fuck yourself Zeke,' he could have said, but there was someone here he felt he could say that to, and genuinely, and not have to worry about misunderstandings, and that by itself was worthy of love.
"Lullaby, I love ya." @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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It's later than it was when they had last stepped foot on the rooftop. The faint light fading from before has since collapsed into full darkness, the rise of a moon - a beautiful sight, to be sure.
But Lullaby's looking at Morris.
A laugh, a bit embarrassed by the forwardness of the words.
"Love ya-" Emphasis on the 'ya' instead of a 'you', to match the other. "-too, Morrie."
They reach a hand out to brush at his hair.
"... but I promise, we can learn to climb roofs a normal way." @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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He shakes his head and takes the hand to place over his chest, where his heart beat wildly as if--
And when does the same to Lullaby he'd feels the same thing.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Yeah that's what running and climbing up a building will do. Heart rate 
? It's called adrenaline.
? It's called adrenaline.
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Don't be so cynical omg
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They smile, waiting for their pulses to become inseparable to their perception.
".... hey."
"Truth or dare?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
WILL FREE U AFTER THIS QUICK
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"Just ask - am I gonna say no."
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"Maybe."
"..... what the fuck was that in the bush?" @Luuvy 📋 Morris
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"A mimosa bye"
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They laugh and it fills the rooftop. "See you later, Morrie." They're climbing down the opposite side of the roof--
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Exported 107 message(s)
LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / stage
Original message was deleted.
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He takes the mic. Taps
"Is this thing on....okay. Good. Announcement: you're all fruit salads. Announcement over." He leaves. ♂️ goodbye
♂️ goodbye
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the venue was empty. btw. he did this to an empty room for shits and giggles.
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Her steps had eventually brought the singer moving near the stage of the event venue... although it felt too early, for now.
A little tipsy still, but not too much so, Étoile sat down near the stage to enjoy the last of her fourth drink.
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Exported 7 message(s)
LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / mini-game
@hyu 👓 albert @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford @mei | cerise @eu | cordelia @dee 🌼 doris @Jacket 🤪 Hayden @crow ✝ jacob de silva @pepo 📸 jamie @flan 🦋 june @Panro 🍓 Kylee @ren | rhett @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
SCAVENGER HUNT:
Sign ups still available in #announcements - just getting these done!
Albert - Find someone with a birthday in summer (June - August)
Cameron - Find someone 5'08-5'10
Cerise - Find someone wearing a dress
Cordelia - Find someone with a birthday in winter (December - February)
Doris - Find someone with light eyes
Hayden - Find someone wearing high heels
Jacob - Find someone with black or cool toned hair
Jamie - Find someone in slacks
June - Find someone with dark eyes
Kylee - Find someone with a birthday in spring (March - May)
Lullaby - Find someone 5'01-5'07
Rhett - Find someone with warm toned hair
Tyler - Find someone 5'11+
Zeke - Find someone with a birthday in fall (September - November)
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Luciel - Find someone wearing jewelry
Aiden - Find someone wearing high heels
Xiaoru - Find someone with dark eyes
@Li💤 ♟ Luciel @druz (captain ravioli) 🔎 aiden @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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@MEATeor
7 MINUTES:
Pairing list attached.
Things to Note:
1. No NSFW/super horny in server! Take it to DMs. You only have 7 minutes anyway
2. You cannot be in the closet & in a location RP at the same time. We recommend you keep posts/interactions short & do them when you & your partner are both available.
3. If you're both busy/it's dragging on, it might be best to just HC what would happen and then return with prose/further DMing later! This is just to prevent.. y'know if your OC gets punched in the closest but then you're both RPing somewhere else. Timeline mess.
4. Please tag me when you're done so I can export the channel and then delete it.
Channels will be set up and you will be tagged momentarily.
@MEATeor To reiterate, if you’re in the midst of a casual rp in one of the rooms, please put a lid on it for now in order to try to get the minigame in progress- you can write an explanation as to how you two got pulled into the closet or not but just please put your non-minigame rp on the backburner if possible! 
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if theres continuity errors just blame it on food poisoning i dont care
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(T/N: it was me)
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@dee 🌼 doris @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @shelfy 🍀 Patrick @druz (captain ravioli) 🔎 aiden @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho @eu | cordelia
Ok u may have multiple RP rights for 7 Min + 1 Location RP. Freedom.
(That said Wrap-ups by tmrw night would be... Smexy!)
Wrap-ups by tmrw night would be... Smexy!)
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NEVER HAVE I EVER
MECHANICS:
- RP takes place in #dancefloor
- Following the attached list for order, each character will ask a question & other characters will be given time to respond and dick around! You can just post in the channel on your turn (@ing me for convenience would be nice) & the question will be copied to here for easy viewing!
- If you have never played before, basically you say "Never have I ever done X" for something you haven't done and then anyone who has done it takes a drink. Usually people play with fingers, but we'll just do sips of drink (can be non-alcoholic)
IC
Someway, somehow - a circle has formed on the dance floor. Nobody knows who came up with the idea or how the group got to this side, but bottles of liquor and mixed drinks are abound and characters are sitting/standing in the vague shape of a circle in order to play Never Have I Ever.
@JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford @Robbie ⚖ Zeke @Li💤 ♟ Luciel @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @ren | rhett @Luuvy 📋 Morris @koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho @meow | xunyi @crow ✝ jacob de silva @turtle | eden @Panro 🍓 Kylee @xia :capitalism: adrian @li 📽 ernie @Jacket 🤪 Hayden @Nyaph 🌺 Mika @hyu 👓 albert @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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Everyone who's around has asked a question!! Feel ask your own free-style more Never Have I Evers or just mingle or fade out. THANK YALL FOR PARTICIPATING.
THANK YALL FOR PARTICIPATING.
TRUTH OR DARE
MECHANICS:
Groups have been randomized !
>
1. The first OC will ask "Truth or Dare" to the OC after them (1 -> 2)
2. OC 2 will choose 'truth or dare'
3. OC 1 will give OC 2 a prompt which OC 2 is supposed to adhere to IC
4. OC 2 then continues the chain to the next OC & so on & so forth!
GROUPINGS:
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford @Luuvy 📋 Morris @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @mei | cerise @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius @ren | rhett @Gabbo 📻 Patsy @flan 🦋 june @Jacket 🤪 Hayden @meow | xunyi @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
@xia :capitalism: adrian @hyu 👓 albert @JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford @dee 🌼 doris @li 📽 ernie @crow ✝ jacob de silva @gale 🐸 lingli @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby @Nyaph 🌺 Mika @Gabbo 📻 Patsy @Lime (Drew) | Phineas @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ @forest 👾 ratler (derogatory) EDN @geeck 🌙 xiaoru @meow | xunyi @Robbie ⚖ Zeke
arrange yourself accordingly lads
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / closet
It’s a broom closet! Nothing really special here, except for the fact that most of the brooms were cleared out to make space for lovebirds (or enemies, depending on your preferences). There’s a heart-shaped throw pillow in here too from Welgreens with the word Loue (Love?) stitched onto it, but... please don’t use that as an invitation to get ahead of yourselves. Seriously. You’re on company time. Stay professional. Or else.
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There is, I believe, no longer a Loue cushion.
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After meandering around the halls, he finally finds an empty place... it's a closet. There's not even a cushion.
Nonetheless, he sits with the drink Cameron mixed him earlier and takes another slow sip. Chugging the entire thing is entirely too tempting.
He sits near the entrance, leaving the door open so that he could be clearly seen by any lovebirds looking for a closet to get it on in. A deep sigh... parties weren't his thing. Despite all the people, it always felt so lonely.
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Why was he feeling melancholic? He didn't want to think about it, but the alcohol left him no choice. His current mixture of emotions felt as bad as the isopropyl he made earlier.
He felt lonely, first of all. And he also felt deceived. Never have I ever... rang loudly in his thoughts.
Never have I ever read someone so incorrectly, he thought to himself.
He wondered if he would come looking for him. For his duty or whatever.
Cassius rubs the bridge of his nose. He took a big gulp. Being blackout drunk didn't sound bad.
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He also felt a bit angry. That he wasn't even spared a greeting or glance. But then he felt pathetic about that, because he had told him not to bother anyways.
He rubs his eyes next. Checks his watch. It wasn't even 9PM yet.
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Albert just wanted to find his coat... which has conveniently disappeared and brought him over to this specific closet — clearly not used for any 7 minutes in heaven shenanigans. But he doesn't find his coat when he opens the closet; instead, he finds... Cassius Caro? Looking like he's about to emotionally collapse?
"Uh..." It's a bit awkward, since Albert's only seen him be upbeat and charming. Now he looks tired and drunk, and not in a fun way. "You doing good over here?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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"Metaphorical killing... interesting." He's not actually interested at all. His mind is too foggy to say words that pretend like they care.
"I do enjoy hanging out with people, but I prefer one on one time." he says. He watches Albert sit with a blank smile. "Why are you sitting down? Don't you have a coat to find?" @hyu 👓 albert
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"Yeah, I can find that later, the night is still young." he gives him a friendly smile. Whether Cassius wants him there or not, he plans on staying.
"Besides, you prefer one on one time, just said it yourself. So here's some one on one time." Actually, Albert feels really lame and corny for this one, but maybe something great will happen? Perhaps the light Cassius needed all along will shine down on him.
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius smiles a little wider. "How kind of you."
He swirls his drink and watches it spin in the glass while he thinks of something to say. He didn't know Albert that well, so this was as good as talking to a stranger in a bar. Which was still good- just not Great™️. What did he need right now? Validation?
"We don't know each other that well, do we? What should we talk about, first impressions? Or should we jump into our deepest fears?" @hyu 👓 albert
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Cassius laughs at that memory. He wonders if they still had it, the noog.
"My first impression of you..." Cassius ponders. He didn't remember much about Albert. His honest first impression was that Albert didn't seem like the type of person he'd want to hang out with because of the self-absorbed outward bravado he displayed. Those sorts of people had a tendency to run away at the first sign of intimacy, and Cassius didn't like to chase.
"...it must be the alcohol getting to me, because I don't remember. Thoughts about your well-endowed chest were definitely part of it though," he jokes.
"I'm still thinking about my deepest fear too." He did not want to think about it. Or talk about it. @hyu 👓 albert
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"You're not going to die in a closet, I wouldn't let something so humiliating happen to you. Especially if you're dying with regrets." He makes a playful jab at him, but also wishes he had some alcohol to make this conversation less weird. It feels like they're toeing the line between being normal coworkers and mortal enemies at this rate.
"That sounds horrifying though. Who would you haunt if you were a ghost? There's gotta be someone whose life you wanna make miserable."
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius laughs weakly.
Another sip of his drink, completely unaware of Albert's awkwardness. "Dunno... maybe you?" Cassius peers into Albert's eyes curiously to see how he'd react to being told that he'd be killed metaphorically and then possibly haunted. @hyu 👓 albert
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"Dunno. I mean you were in a closet drinking alone just now — don't you have any woes to spill?" He shoots back, but not aggressively. They can both play emotional volleyball.
"I'll at least tell you I'm not good at relationships. I kept one really good one and nothing else before or after." Albert sighs. "...Actually, do you think it's weird if a guy you're kind of close to and have an ambiguous relationship with ends up keeping a ton of secrets from you and/or is like.... overall... weird? Different from what you expected?" He doesn't know how to say this. Please understand, Cassius.
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Albert perks up — finally someone understands him! Though he only recently discovered these weird emotions, it makes him feel better that someone validates him at least.
"Secrets do suck. I mean, it's okay if I keep the secrets, but I don't want someone to hide things from me." He manages to laugh, slightly joking, slightly serious. "But if they wanted to tell me something, I'd reciprocate. Probably." He looks down.
"Why are people at this agency so damn confusing?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius smiles more genuinely when Albert takes back the lie.
"Why not? Are you still hung up on the one really good one?" @hyu 👓 albert
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Eye twitch.
"Yeah, something like that." He can say that honestly, because he'd never lie about him.
"So I'm good just keeping things casual for now. Or forever."
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius doesn't notice the eye twitch, the alcohol is too far in his system.
"And if Mr Silva doesn't want casual forever, will you run away?"
"Broken hearts can cause eternal spite," he repeats. "Maybe it's even a sin." @hyu 👓 albert
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"Let me guess, you talked to Jacob today, huh?" Please. Cassius Caro is the devil. He rolls his eyes.
"I don't know what I'd do, I guess we'll have to see about that," He gets a shiver down his spine. "Ugh. I've already racked up so many sins, what's one more to the list?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
He gets a shiver down his spine. "Ugh. I've already racked up so many sins, what's one more to the list?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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"You flatter me. I'll continue to talk your ear off for a while longer then." It's a good deal for the both of them. Albert also wants an excuse not to talk to Jacob for a while.
"Do you? Is there anyone in your life you're trying to have fun with, or is it not working, or are you confused? Go on, tell little ol' Albert about all your personal information. Or make something up, I don't really care either way."
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius wants to roll his eyes out of his sockets when Albert steers the conversation to him because of the man that comes to mind immediately. Instead, he just shuts his eyes tightly and rubs the bridge of his nose.
He usually wouldn't care and honestly he still didn't know why he did. Cassius takes a long sip of his drink. He doesn't want to think again. Introspection...... 
So instead, he talks about someone he has a positive relationship with. "I'm having fun with Lullaby. They're very enjoyable company." @hyu 👓 albert
So instead, he talks about someone he has a positive relationship with. "I'm having fun with Lullaby. They're very enjoyable company." @hyu 👓 albert
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His smile turns bitter. "It's just the alcohol, I'm not upset at anyone in particular."
Liar, liar, liar. His pants should get set on fire.
"Is it Just Silva for you?"
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"That's what everyone says when they don't want to think about it." He stares at Cassius, not buying it.
"Hah. Maybe so. Maybe I'm upset with eveeeeryone here."
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
"That's what everyone says when they don't want to think about it." He stares at Cassius, not buying it.
"Hah. Maybe so. Maybe I'm upset with eveeeeryone here."
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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"....."
Talking about him with Albert 'hung up on one good relationship and coping by playing around with a priest now' Keller would be embarrassing.
"I just miss my mother because I haven't seen her in a while." @hyu 👓 albert
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"27 years."
The answer comes out quick and easily, like it's always on the tip of his mind. @hyu 👓 albert
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There's a beat of silence and Cassius's phone rings. "That must be my taxi. I'll be going now, thank you for the company, Keller."
He downs the rest of his negroni and makes his way out of the venue.
@hyu 👓 albert i'll end it here unless you wanna make a last post! otherwise room is open
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"Um. Yeah, see you later, Cassius." That was unbearable. Hopefully they never have to do it again!
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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What a swap out
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--His initial reckless charge carries Morris all the way to the other's shallow grave--or--the closet. He doesn't let up even when they crash into the far wall--if anything using it as leverage.
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Cooler heads should prevail, but he wouldn’t turn down an invitation. He likes kisses, Romanov respected such notions, so fighting shouldn’t be any different. If he was told to go fighting someone else Morris would promptly tell them to fuck off, as he’d been doing all night, but it was all fair game if they were willing to do it themselves. Beyond that, Mika has proven that he can operate with a level head, so what’s a little friendly fight?
Mika’s tackle comes off as a surprise, and Morris responds by bracing himself against the force, his feet skid across the ground. He was out of his weight class, but that wasn’t going to stop him. For having one eye, Mika's aim was impeccable, and they wind up... in a tiny closet. Like in a cartoon where all the action happened beyond closed doors and all those outside would receive the sounds of falling anvils and the door coming off its hinges. Okay.
"How long were you waiting to do that," he removes his blazer, tosses the useless thing aside only to have his arms hit the sides of the closet. Hello?
[Roll: 12]
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"Since we danced." The way it's said over a smile makes it sounds like it could be a joke, but it was the truth, as the game they'd been playing all night had dictated.
One part due to the indignity of being forced to dance while dressed like a clown, the other part because their frantic little tango had been a nice little sample of what it might be like to engage in a struggle for power with Morris, and that was all it took to make Mika want the full picture.
He backs up just enough to let Morris remove his blazer, resetting his stance as he does, hands up. He thinks to do the same, take off his jacket, it was Lullaby's after all, didn't want to get his boyfriend's blood on it--at the same time he wasn't sure if Morris would appreciate him making this a shirtless affair so quick, so he leaves it on. He'll pay for the dry cleaning.
He dives back in with a couple shots at Morris' core.
[Roll: 13]
@Luuvy 📋 Morris
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He squints in the dim lighting that swings overhead, at one point revealing Mika by the door, and in the next, he’s right up in his face close enough for Morris to see just how fake that smile was.
“That’s almost romantic, Pet,” it made his heartbeat in the same way running through the venue had.
He moves faster than Morris can react, and he pays for it. The blow to his abdomen lifts him off his feet, and the only way he can tank it is to flex his abs. Still, his core is mostly soft fleshy organs with a thin layer of muscle for defense, and the blow as him reeling.
[Roll: 7]
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That fake little smile becomes just a touch more genuine as Mika feels how solidly his punch connects. The sensation sends a tingle up his arm that shoots straight up to his brain and--unbeknownst to Mika but much in the same way as Morris--he feels his chest thrum with something akin to elation. Romantic indeed.
Following the momentum of his blow he takes it upon himself to close the space between them once more, grabbing hold of the other to wrestle him into some kind of choke hold. The closet and it's limited real estate, however, continued to play it's role as the third assailant in this equation and Mika finds himself bringing them both to their knees in lieu of the space to properly grapple Morris prone, his own back bumping one of the handful of shelves on the way down.
"I'm not your pet, Sir." Mika says this, but all the panting and growling he was doing did nothing to help his case.
He's had the upper hand this fight so far, with anyone else he might be disappointed, but Ginsberg was special...
He was verysatisfying to hit.
[Roll: 17]
@Luuvy 📋 Morris ((ty for waiting~))
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"Truth or dare - how far you go on a first date?" He manages to squeeze out between gathering his bearings and being locked in a chokehold. Morris tightens the cords in his neck, but he was clearly pinned, and his only hope to recover was to gain some leverage, if only he wasn't short as fuck.
The big blundering buffoon had the good graces to fall because he (they) decided to fight in a shoebox. He bangs against something on the way down, and topples another, and it'll sting once he comes to his senses but currently he just focused on getting a hit.
What was that Cameron said before about playing fair? He can't remember as he jumps at the chance to sink his teeth into Mika's beefy arm. If god gifted him with impressive assets (teeth, etc., ... ladies and the occasional man why not) then he intends on using them, not that it seemed to much against the raging Russian.
Under Mika's weight and grasp, Morris falls to his knees with labored panting, his hands claw uselessly at the chokehold until seemingly giving up.
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"That's not how the game works." there are whispers of a laugh in the rebuttal, but the mirth is mostly overwhelmed by the strain of physical exertion. The way the other's neck tenses at his pressure makes it hard to think like a human.
A low sound escapes from between his gritted teeth as the sharp sting of being bitten hits him. He holds his ground for as long as he can before retracting that arm instinctively. He continues to try and hold on with his other arm but the grip is weak and his balance is off. Not that it mattered much as he feels Morris' struggle less and less with each passing moment...
"...But if you haven't noticed. I'm the 'all or nothing' type. Done already?" The gravel in his voice surprises even himself. There's a passing feeling of remorse that it had to end so soon as he let's his guard down for just a moment to make sure he didn't actually kill Morris. The echo of his own breathing in their enclosed space makes it hard to gauge if the other still contributing to it. Lawrence probably wouldn't love that.
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Could have fooled him with how he dared to put him in a chokehold. Morris left his weakness wide open, the back he had covered in scars during his service, and he did that intentionally so he could weed out the people who would take advantage of that. Morris would hate him for being so patronizing, but it didn’t seem that way at all. Mika didn’t take any cheap shots, bastard just loved fighting, what a beast.
“Get off my case, Romanov,” he growls.
With that in mind Morris whips his elbow around once he got the right footing. It had less to do with the strength behind his arm, and more about whether he could generate enough torque in his body to deliver an effective blow. It connects with something (it was dark okay), that makes the funny bone in his arm giggle. He should have used this moment to pull away when he still could, but he uses the momentum from twisting free out of that chokehold to attempt a roundhouse kick. If he was lucky, it would land on his jaw and maybe give a pretty little bruise to match Mika’s eyes. Either way, that cheap trick left him wide open.
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If Mika could read Morris' mind he'd be elated to know that they're on the same page. Though he would add that it's not so much he was above taking cheap shots or playing dirty...More so that stuff had a tendency to end things a little too quickly for his tastes. If it wasn't life or death, why not curtail a weakness or two in favor of good old fashioned brutality?
So. Yes. Mika Romanov did love to fight. It was all he knew.
The elbow to his ribs is a surprise, as is the kick to his jaw. Well. They were fighting weren't they? He thinks this as he feels his head slam against something--a shelf maybe--thrown back by the force. It wasn't an especially weighty blow, you can usually tell when someone is using their muscles vs when they're using their momentum, but it rattles his skull and reddens his flesh all the same.
And here he'd been avoiding the other's face--didn't want to leave any marks that might show the next day. Being a sensitive partner for the night and all that--but if it didn't matter to Morris it didn't matter to Mika.
His arm shoots out as he's regaining his balance to once again grab the other, this time simply holding him in place as he reels back and gives Morris a good old right hook straight in to the face...Or he tries to, but that damn lack of proper depth perception mixed with the darkness of their choice of (admittedly dumb) venue causes him clip the other's shoulder and keep going.
Instead it's their heads that clash, foreheads smashing in what could be mis-interpreted as a headbutt--however unlike a proper one Mika feels the full effects of it too--the carried through force sends them both slamming into the far wall once more, ending this just like it started--crashing into a vertical surface.
"Congrats. You got me off." of Morris' case that is. It's said with all the breathlessness of someone who just got kicked in the head. If Morris is out for the count, Mika is not far behind.
[Roll 3]
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Bless Mika’s fat ass for making him such a good target. Landing a good hit on him was just as good as winning but winning would have been nice to. Either way, it’d have him coming back for more now that he knew the wall could be penetrated. It’s a victory he celebrates too soon, and he squanders his moment to scramble away in an undignified manner so he might actually have a chance, so all he can do is defend against Mika’s onslaught of finishing blows.
Morris squirms to defend, bring his arms up to avoid a fatal blow, and blesses the dead nerves in his arms to cushion the brunt force of that right hook. Almost wished he could say the same for his face when that head came crashing down, but scar his beautiful face? It was, unfortunately, probably his last redeeming quality.
“Jesus, Romanov,” he’s taken softer bricks to the head. Try as he might, he couldn’t seem to shake off that last blow, his body flinches at the continued contact, and that was when he knew he was down for the count.
Morris gags, the mental image Mika summons with that line assaults his brain like a hangover.
“You make this wholesome thing sound dirty, are you proud of yourself?”
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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He laughs, it rumbles up from somewhere deep in his core and shakes his shoulders, his head light with adrenaline and maybe some brain damage. He finds it interesting that Morris considers this 'wholesome'--though knowing his speaking patterns it's most likely hyperbole. Regardless, Mika agrees. He voices this, "I am."
He musters the strength to pull away from the other, allowing himself to fall to the opposite side of their tiny arena. Normally his stamina wasn't this bad, but he had been drinking an awful lot tonight. Getting home would be tough, but it was worth it.
"Speaking of dirty. Looking forward to seeing that piercing."
@Luuvy 📋 Morris
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“I knew you did that shit on purpose, dick,” Morris tries to kick him and manages to knock over a box when he misses.
He hoists himself to his feet, and wobbles over to the door, the adrenaline was wearing off and the delicious pain was settling in. The light that spills in when he opens the door make his eyes squint, which brings more attention to the pounding ache where Mika had struck him.
Morris just sticks his tongue out at the other in distaste.
He leaves the door open, fully believing that Mika was more than capable of rebounding after a victory so clean.
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@Nyaph 🌺 Mika HEHEH THANKS FOR FIGHTING, i'm always down for more
ROOM OPEN BUT ALSO THE EVENT IS OVER!!!
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / cerise-xiaoru
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"7 Minutes". She's brought back to her boarding school days. Despite the pressure to be proper, boarding school parties weren't much different from any other teenage party. Aside from the fountains of Don Perignon, that is.
She had signed her name on all the events without reading as usual. So far, it's been a pleasant surprise. She steps in the closet, pulling her skirts close, waiting for her partner. @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
Despite the pressure to be proper, boarding school parties weren't much different from any other teenage party. Aside from the fountains of Don Perignon, that is.
She had signed her name on all the events without reading as usual. So far, it's been a pleasant surprise. She steps in the closet, pulling her skirts close, waiting for her partner. @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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She'd never played 7 Minutes in Heaven before, and hadn't known the rules prior to signing her name on the paper. All she knew was that she'd be in a closet for 7 minutes, and that someone else would be in there with her. Which was basically all you really needed to know about the game.
To her, it was an excuse to escape the noise of the party venue, avoid socializing, and get some Z's.
She shuffles into the closet, already yawning on her way in before seeing her partner was already inside.
"....Cerise." She mumbles in greeting as the door to the closet swings shut behind her.
@mei | cerise
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Upon recognizing her partner, she states with delight, "So it will be a lovely '7Minutes' of Miss Xiaoru today?"
She takes Xiaoru's hand and kisses it lightly enough not to leave a lipstick mark. "Please, make yourself comfortable." @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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Her coworker was ever charming, though Xiaoru had long since immunized herself to silver tongues and sweet words. Though, she does follow Cerise's suggestion and promptly shifts to sit herself down on the closet floor without much care to getting her fancy dress dirty. She pats the spot next to her, looking up at Cerise expectantly.
@mei | cerise
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Once Xiaoru is settled, she also settles herself next to her, taking care not to intrude so much into Xiaoru's space with her skirts.
A haze of drowsiness washed over Cerise from dimness of the closet and the comfort of being off of her stilettos. "Shall we tell each other our secrets now?" She whispers playfully to Xiaoru. "Nose goes." She announces as soon as he puts a finger on her own nose. @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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With a considerably less amount of care for Cerise's personal space, Xiaoru settles and makes herself comfortable, situating herself so that the two of them are nestled against each other shoulder to shoulder among the fabric of their skirts.
Secrets? Nose? Xiaoru looks at Cerise a bit confusedly, parroting her actions slowly, touching her nose after Cerise. She tilts her head to the side in confusion. What's Nose Goes..?
@mei | cerise
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Amused, she laughs lightly as she watches Xiaoru mirror her actions.
"Too late, my dear. Anyway," she clears her voice, settling into some type of character. Enunciating with a bit more intent, she acts like a storyteller. "Imagine I'm a witch," as she had referred herself earlier in the garden, "and I had pulled you into my magical broom closet."
She puts an arm around Xiaoru's shoulders. "Pretend anything you say here will be forgotten once we leave. In that case, is there anything you'd like to say?" She watches Xiaoru with a raised eyebrow and a pleased smirk. @geeck 🌙 xiaoru
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It seemed as if Cerise had started a new sort of game... Xiaoru just obediently nods along to her words.
A witch.... broom closet...? Was there anything she wanted to say...?
No, not particularly. She wasn't a person of many words... And she couldn't think of any words in particular she felt like she wanted to say out loud.
She just plops her head against Cerise's shoulder with another yawn, and says anything that comes to mind.
"....Sardine's... not an anchovy..... He's a sardine."
@mei | cerise
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Xiaoru's weight on her shoulder was comforting and not at all unexpected. Cerise had been hoping her companion would settle in against her and was quite pleased that her faith in Xiaoru was not misplaced.
7 Minutes would be perfectly well spent even if it was just for the pleasant feeling of warming up next to someone. Glamour sometimes comes with the cost of the cold nipping at exposed skin.
Cerise lets out a soft, forced gasp. "Is that so? And who's calling him an anchovy? The slander."
She pats Xiaoru's head, as if coaxing her to sleep. Somewhat not wanting her to really hear what she herself had to say. ".... Sometimes, I feel sad that someone might misunderstand my true nature as well." @geeck 🌙 xiaoru ((SORRY SHES OUT HERE LIKE, IM 30 AND IM DEEP 
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Though perhaps hard to see from Cerise's angle, Xiaoru's lips quirk upwards for a brief moment at Cerise's faux appalled words. Indeed, the slander! He was clearly a very handsome and sleek sardine, though? And his name was Sardine?
Ah, the Witch of the Magical Broom Closet who collected people's secrets. In reality she had a few of her own she wanted to let go of.
Xiaoru wasn't much a fan of carrying things. It was heavy, and burdensome, and when she moved around they were a hassle to have to bring along with her. As such, it was more in her nature to never pick things up, and thus she would never be faced with the dilemma of leaving things behind.
She supposed she could carry these small words in her pocket, though.
As usual, she doesn't offer any kind words or comforting thoughts, merely snuggling in closer. She could, at the very least, listen.
@mei | cerise ((I LOVE CERISE SO MUCH PUNTS XR)
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Cerise listens to Xiaoru's breaths, soft against the firm din of silence in the closet. Had it slowed to a snooze? Or had it quickened, a flight response against unwelcome words.
Though she was starting to feel a little silly, she knew her lips would form the same words again even if The Magical Broom Closet could somehow rewind time to 6-something minutes ago.
As if she could feel her words land in a safe place, Cerise says nothing more. She lets Xiaoru snuggle close, enjoying the atmosphere before they both had to eventually return the bright lights and bright sounds of the party.
@geeck 🌙 xiaoru ((can probably wrap up here!! if XR just wants to chill ))
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Her breaths had neither slowed nor quickened, neither asleep nor alert. Xiaoru merely rests, awake enough to listen if Cerise would so wish to continue, but otherwise allowing the two of them to continue snuggling in the comfortable silence.
She'd always found formal events like this a pain, but tonight hadn't been so bad. Not bad at all.
And she quite liked Nose Goes. Whatever the game was.
@mei | cerise ((OKAY WE CAN END HERE HEHEHEHE THEY JUST CHILLIN!!!! BIG LOVE CERISE))
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@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby It's a wrap here!!
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / doris-saif
@dee 🌼 doris @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★ Whenever you're ready, welcome to a closet. Please tag me when you are done with the channel so that I can log & then delete it.
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She had gotten to the Venue with Cameron who had helped find her a dress and dolled her up, but even with all her compliments Doris couldn’t help but be nervous. She’s not really one for fancy events like this or dressing up, and she can’t quite recall the last time eh was at a banquet hall. Maybe her Ninang Julie’s wedding when she was sixteen?
After she and Cameron had gone inside, she found herself tripping along the hall, unused to wearing heels. In her attempt to find the bathroom to hide and maybe give herself a pep talk in front of a mirror, she found herself lost and locked inside a closet.
“HELLO?? I-IS ANYONE OUT THERE?” She yells as she knocks against the door.
But after knocking on the door for a couple minutes, she sits down on the Loue pillow with a sigh.
Maybe it’s best if she was hidden away in here anyway so she can refrain from embarrassing herself even more in front of her co workers. Someone is bound to find her in here eventually right? She lets out a big sigh. How typical of something like this to happen to her. @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★
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Saif had heard the announcement for food, and had briefly excused themself from the garden to inspect it with plans to return. Before they could even get a glimpse of the evening's famed lobster special, they felt a tug and a push on the back of their suit jacket, and soon found themself engulfed in the darkness of... a broom closet?
Bewildered, Saif glanced around, almost frantic, trying the door. Upon discovering it locked, they wondered if this was a prank put on by their coworkers, though they could not imagine how they ended up a target for it-- they did not usually partake in these types of things.
Turning around to examine the room more closely, Saif realized another person was present, sitting on what seemed to be a bright pink pillow. Saif squinted in the dark, trying to make out the face, and breathed a sigh of relief once they recognized who it was. They pause for a moment, and then squat down to her height so they weren't looking down at her so awkwardly. "Doris, right? I am surprised to find you in here-- did you... get snatched up as well?"
@dee 🌼 doris
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She had started to fall asleep head leaning against the closet wall. She jumped in her seat when she hears a voice. About to rub her eyes but remembering she had her glasses on still and was wearing a full face of make up she manages to stop herself.
"O-oh!" Someone had found her! "Hi Mr. Saif yes? And.... Snatched up?" She tilts her head, confused. "No, I was looking for the bathroom but managed to get locked in here.... Ahaha..." She looks back at the closed door. Oh no. Was it still locked? Were they were both stuck in here? 
"Do you... do you think whoever snatched you in here is going to come back?"
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★
"Do you... do you think whoever snatched you in here is going to come back?"
@★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★
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Misogyny entering Nadeko )
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Though her hands were not the deftest, she eventually feels the tumblers fall into place with an audible click. !!!!!. She turns to Saif with bright smile, "I think it worked!" @★♪Azure 💫🌻Saif ♪★
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Saif smile widens and they clap lightly. "Exceptional work, Miss Doris." With a nod towards the door, Saif said, "Your company has been most enjoyable this evening. Let's rejoin the party then, shall we?"
@dee 🌼 doris
UNLESS DEE HAS SOMETHING TO ADD I THINK WE'RE DONE THANK YOU FOR THE LOVELY RP DEE!!!))
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
THANK YOU FOR THE LOVELY RP DEE!!!))
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / haoxuan-cameron
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Hao Xuan may have asked but he didn't expect Cameron to actually have food! Now this was very good, if he was gonna be stuck in a closet at least he wouldn't be starving.
"I did, I had to look for a suit for today. Hope I don't spill any food on myself, oh and you look great too! Would probably look better if we were out of this closet though" he laughs.
"You're a lifesaver, I haven't had anything to eat this whole day! What's the deal with those guys kidnapping us into a closet anyways?" he gratefully takes the fork and puts a potato into his mouth. There might be tears in his eyes from how good it is.
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"You looked for a suit today? Woah, you were really cutting it close to time," she grins while leaning against her arm, "I'm sure if you came in your usual wear, no one would've even bat an eye. You do dress pretty smart compared to some of us here."
"Oh they tried to kidnap me..." she mutters under a chuckle, words drifting off before she could say what she did in return to the unconscious person somewhere in the building.
"It's no problem though, eat up and enjoy yourself...well, as much as you can enjoy yourself in a closet. I'm gonna stock up some more after this so you're free to join me getting more crab- maybe even some of that 10lb lobster."
@reij | hao xuan
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Hao Xuan chuckled, he did not want to tell the details of how he got a suit. He definitely did not pay for it. "Oh you know..a fancy place like this deserves a fancy suit. But thanks, must be the glasses!"
It wasn't easy to eat in a closet, especially crab leg but he'll be darned if he let this chance go. "Wait, say what? 10lb lobster?? Let me join you, please I brought containers" he has a certain sparkle in his eyes, where does he keep the containers? A secret!
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"Very true, very true. It is a pretty fancy suit," she hums in agreement, giving it a proper inspection before nodding once more. She does stop before giving his shoulder a light dusting like the neat freak she is - curse this closet.
"Yeah 10 whole pounds!" As soon as Hao Xuan said he brought a container she felt like she found a kindred spirit, expression of joy on her face. "You are a man of class, Hao Xuan. We will definitely go and conquer the buffet tables - I saw no sign that said 1 plate per person so we're in every right to help ourselves to as much as we can carry."
She leans in closer to talk softly as if anyone could eavesdrop. "I have some extra containers in my car since it would look too suspicious carrying more than one in my small bag."
@reij | hao xuan
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Hao Xuan appreciates the dusting, Cameron was such a nice person! He felt very taken care of
"I like the way you think, with our combined forces..we'll be set for days" he sighs dreamily at the thought of not having to worry about being fed for the next few days at least. What a blessing that he found a fellow comrade!
He nods eagerly at Cameron's whisper, "We could split up and take turns, so we won't look so suspicious yeah?" He whispers back in equal seriousness. This food heist was probably the most important thing in his life right now.
"I like the way you think, with our combined forces..we'll be set for days" he sighs dreamily at the thought of not having to worry about being fed for the next few days at least. What a blessing that he found a fellow comrade!
He nods eagerly at Cameron's whisper, "We could split up and take turns, so we won't look so suspicious yeah?" He whispers back in equal seriousness. This food heist was probably the most important thing in his life right now.
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"I like the sound of that~, I'm sure the rich people who donated to this banquet won't even eat it - we're doing them a favour by making sure it's eaten. Plus, it's good for the environment, less food waste and all~" It was like preaching to the choir, they were both on board with this food heist.
"That sounds like a good plan. We'll also stagger it throughout the party and especially just before cleaning time. We can make it look like we're helping pack away when we're packing up free dinner."
7 minutes of heaven? Psh, more like 7 minutes of plotting. Well, it will be a much longer time in heaven once they're dining on enough lobster to feed a school.
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Somehow in the span of a few minutes Hao Xuan had finished all the food Cameron had so kindly gave him. He was still hungry though. But with the plan he and Cameron came up with, heh, he wouldn't be for long!
"Has anyone ever told you what a genius you are, Cammy?" He nods his head in approval with her plan, no one would be wiser!
"Now all we need to do is get outta this closet, how long have we been in here anyways?" Hao Xuan would check his watch, if he had one.
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She smiles at the nickname, happy to be given one. She does love to receive them even if she doesn't say it.
"I think you're the genius here, Hao Xuan~ I'm merely an enabler." Cameron stretches out with a hum, giving Hao Xuan's head a content pat for finally eating something - she couldn't imagine going without food until the evening as he had.
"Yeah, we should definitely head out before more people start to congregate by the table. I'm very sure there will be no one blocking the door if we leave a little early. (they were hopefully waking up in another closet). Ah- before I forget" she rummages in her bag for a pen and jots down a number on the back of someone else's business card she had received, adding her name before handing it to Hao Xuan.
"You're a good kid, if you ever need a heist buddy you know who to call~"
@reij | hao xuan
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Hao Xuan feels a strong budding friendship with Cameron! He's not sure if anyone else were thrown into closets but he's glad he was with Cameron, tonight he has won 
"Wow, my first number since coming to Meteor City besides the boss!" He holds the name card up like a treasure, and tucks it into his empty wallet. "Thanks! I'm sure I'll have plenty of food heists planned for the future" he grins.
"Let's try getting outta here, gotta strike while the irons hot!" he rubs his hands dramatically, and goes to reach for the door knob. He turns it, but the door doesn't seem to open. "Should we kick it?"
"Wow, my first number since coming to Meteor City besides the boss!" He holds the name card up like a treasure, and tucks it into his empty wallet. "Thanks! I'm sure I'll have plenty of food heists planned for the future" he grins.
"Let's try getting outta here, gotta strike while the irons hot!" he rubs his hands dramatically, and goes to reach for the door knob. He turns it, but the door doesn't seem to open. "Should we kick it?"
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@JUM (ani) 🍸 Cameron Rutherford !! ((i think the closet rp can end here? ty for having cammy be hao xuans partner in crime 
!!!))
ty for having cammy be hao xuans partner in crime !!!))
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby We're finito here > u <
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / hayden-luciel
@Jacket 🤪 Hayden @Li💤 ♟ Luciel Whenever you're ready, welcome to a closet. Please tag me when you are done with the channel so that I can log & then delete it.
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Ah geez open bars are both a blessing and a curse! Oh to be burdened with bodily functions…! To be cursed with a mortal body that expels waste instead of just internalizing all the alcohol we consume like a self-sufficient deity! OH WOE IS— Wait a minute…
“This ain’t the loo! ”
She jingles the closet door and clicks her tongue. Again as fate would have it, this is the second time she has been trapped in a broom closet But! This being the second time she’s been stuck in the closet (third if you don’t count her repressed teenage years), she splays herself comfortably on the cheap throw pillow like she owns the place. This is her dominion now and whoever sets foot into this closet next is unfortunately stuck in here with her until fate decides to let them out @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
”
She jingles the closet door and clicks her tongue. Again as fate would have it, this is the second time she has been trapped in a broom closet But! This being the second time she’s been stuck in the closet (third if you don’t count her repressed teenage years), she splays herself comfortably on the cheap throw pillow like she owns the place. This is her dominion now and whoever sets foot into this closet next is unfortunately stuck in here with her until fate decides to let them out @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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It was his goal to attempt and socialize more with his coworkers… he is… trying very hard to socialize with his peers… which is why he decided to sign up for some of the events scattered around the night. Surely having a common goal of sorts—or anything in common really considering most of his hobbies were niche—would opt him to create more amiable relations with others…
Socially awkward as he was, no one ever really… explained what you were suppose to do when playing seven minutes in heaven. It was his own fault too for not being able to ask in time—but he assumed that if you were just in a room (closet…) with someone for that long, you’d have nothing to do but get to know them, right? Like their interests and such…
Now, imagine his surprise seeing Hayden sprawled over the pillows like a middle child hogging the shared family bed for the first time when he walked in. What was he suppose to make of this… was she tired? He tilted his head bewilderedly.
“Erm… pardon… are you… alright?”
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She simply smiles as she hears the door click open, eyes locked on her whim’s new target. “Welcome to the broom closet 
” extends a hand, inviting the stranger over. “Come, make yourself comfortable. I think we’re going to be in here for awhile ”
She scoots over enough for Luciel and without even batting an eye, she flashes him an uncomfortable grin, “You ever been stuck inside a closet with anyone, mate?” @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
” extends a hand, inviting the stranger over. “Come, make yourself comfortable. I think we’re going to be in here for awhile ”
She scoots over enough for Luciel and without even batting an eye, she flashes him an uncomfortable grin, “You ever been stuck inside a closet with anyone, mate?” @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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Blinking slowly, Luciel prudently takes a seat next to Hayden. He wondered if she was inviting him to nap… it was something he was use to doing with Xiaoru, so he didn’t think it was peculiar to see someone laze about like this.
“Have I ever been…?” No, he never had actually, and responded by shaking his head. Was that… something normal people did…? People with more sociable lives…? Getting stuck inside a closest…? He was thinking so hard about it that he failed to register how odd Hayden’s grin was. “Have you…?”
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“If you combined both metaphorically and physically speaking, plenty of times, yes ” Yes she’s one of those rich people who thinks she’s an intellectual, unfortunately she’s a doctor so she’s got credentials (how ever unbelievable that may be).
“Got stuck in the ol’ supply closet at work not too long ago too! Had to shove a whole man into the vent just to get out!“ she laughs because of the absurdity of it. “Doesn’t look like neither of us can shimmy through a vent though Y’know, just in case we get stuck in here too “
“But would you rather be stuck in a dark closet by yourself or with someone else for an undetermined amount of time? “ poses as a serious question despite having a sly look on her face @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
” Yes she’s one of those rich people who thinks she’s an intellectual, unfortunately she’s a doctor so she’s got credentials (how ever unbelievable that may be).
“Got stuck in the ol’ supply closet at work not too long ago too! Had to shove a whole man into the vent just to get out!“ she laughs because of the absurdity of it. “Doesn’t look like neither of us can shimmy through a vent though Y’know, just in case we get stuck in here too “
“But would you rather be stuck in a dark closet by yourself or with someone else for an undetermined amount of time? “ poses as a serious question despite having a sly look on her face @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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“Oh wow…” he never heard of that incident. Skipping the gay closest joke simply because he does not understand it, Luciel wasn’t sure how to answer Hayden’s comments, simply opting to listen until she arrived at another question for him.
To be with someone else or…. Luciel’s brows furrowed as he thought about the situation, taking a moment to think up his response as he imagines himself in this metaphorical scenario. “Ah…” despite his expression typically staying at a constant, it may be too dark for Hayden to see, but his eyes downcast with a melancholy gaze. “I’m… I don’t particularly… like being alone…”
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“Hmm is that so~” Hayden hums and nods at his answer. “Well you and me both! I got plenty of thoughts to keep me company all night anyway! :yeehaw: “ she laughs, although a bit dryly than before.
“But y’know two is better than one for survival! If we were trapped in here for days, we’d have to start considering our options. It’s like the Donner Party for two! 
” claps her hands like this is a normal thing for her to talk about to someone she’s just met. “Or 7 minutes in heaven but it’s 7 weeks in hell 
” @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
” claps her hands like this is a normal thing for her to talk about to someone she’s just met. “Or 7 minutes in heaven but it’s 7 weeks in hell ” @Li💤 ♟ Luciel
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Plenty of thoughts to keep me company all night struck a personal cord with Luciel. He couldn't help but wonder... did this stranger have trouble sleeping at night? The thought drifted freely with the simple reason being that he as well had musings that plagued his mind during the sun's rest...
Suddenly the topic changed again. If they were trapped...? He tilts his head bewilderingly. With the two of them... he's sure they could knock down this door with no problem—or was this some kind of theoretical question? This girl seemed to be so relaxed about these kinds of topics... is this how the people of Meteor City speak to each other?
"If we're trapped here... I think..." he paused for a moment before continuing, "I'd be happy at the thought of being with someone as well... rather than possibly dying alone of dehydration... or whatever..."
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She eyes the man before her as he speaks, carefully taking note of his responses and mannerisms. Just because she liked playing with her food doesn't mean she's all cruel! "Heh, that's the spirit, mate! Gotta take the good with the bad! Being stuck in places like this, it's like sensory deprivation, too much time in it alone, you start losing your mind," says as a matter of fact-ly and from personal experience.
"Going mad with someone else is kind of romantic in a sense, if you think about it," she says half jokingly but in all honesty she wished more people were less evasive about seemingly morbid and grim topics. "It'd be like a shared delusion~ What do you think, mate?" @Li💤 ♟ Luciel Luciel's responses make me so CRAI, if you wanna keep going we can or we can pretend Hayden keeps running her mouth till someone lets them out if you wanna wrap it up in a few posts???
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@Jacket 🤪 Hayden I don’t mind ending it since I’m eating dinner atm! Thank you so much for the rp—you’ve been so swell! I actually really love shit like this, so I genuinely hope I can play with Hayden again wahhh
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Again, she watches the way he responds, almost like a crow perched up on a tree. And much like a crow, she caws out a laugh. Yeah, romanticizing such a scenario would be abnormal to the average person. But she hums again, waving a finger like a maestro, almost like weaving in and out of her own thoughts with each motion. "That's the romantic part, mate," she smiles. "We're social creatures, no one wants to be alone, even in death--- especially in death."
An attempt was made to make a point, or at least further the conversation into something more profound and philosophical. But Hayden is a woman of many words and before the two knew it, they were kicked out of the closet. "Well it's been nice chattin' with ya, mate! See ya 'round! " She salutes as if they weren't just trapped in a broom closet for 7min mentally entertaining theoretical life or death situations. She also never introduced herself on purpose SO @Li💤 ♟ Luciel OH BIG SAME, MAKES GRABBY HANDS @ LUCI BUT THANK U FOR THE RP!!!
" She salutes as if they weren't just trapped in a broom closet for 7min mentally entertaining theoretical life or death situations. She also never introduced herself on purpose SO @Li💤 ♟ Luciel OH BIG SAME, MAKES GRABBY HANDS @ LUCI BUT THANK U FOR THE RP!!!
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / jacob-cassius
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It's stifling in here.
The closet is small as is, but Jacob being 6'3 certainly didn't help things — and there's going to be another human body in this space?!
Jacob at least tries not to think so hard about it; instead they focus on trying to find a suitable position to sit. They're glad they shed their jacket, and instead sit there with just a vest and gloves, one leg propped under them and the other pressed against the other end.
When the door creaks open, hair falls in their eyes, and they squint up at the light as they smile.
"Mr. Caro." They still try their hardest to look dignified. "Welcome." @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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and he wanders, opens a door, and finds himself in a closet. This was certainly not the exit, but before he can turn around, the doors to the closet close behind him and he's greeted by Jacob.
"Oh, Mr Silva... what are you doing in a.. closet?" Cassius looks around and sees gaudy love themed decorations. He takes a tentative seat and leans back against the heart shaped 'love' pillow.
"Is this your way of asking God for some love in your life?" he jokes. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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"It's the name of the game, though I imagine heaven looks like something a little less like a broom closet and a little more white clouds and angels singing." He gestures for Cassius to sit, the closet magically expanding to suit their needs. They can fit two! They can sit comfortably enough that Jacob isn't pressed against the man. See? Fine. Easy.
"I don't need any kind of love except the ones given to me by my friends," he says, the joke flying over his head. He glances at Cassius then, raising a brow. "But aren't we both a little too old to play these games?" @poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius finally comes to a realization from Jacob's words. "Ah, this is supposed to be for 7-minutes in heaven?" He'd played this game before when he was younger, but who's to decide what was too old?
Cassius tests the closet door and... it's not opening because it hasn't been 7 minutes... maybe 2 minutes at most.
He looks at his watch and then back to Jacob. "I don't think anyone is ever too old to play games " A hand finds its way to resting on Jacob's knee. "Should we play the game?"
Cassius wasn't expecting anything of that sort from his priest coworker, but there was much to be discovered from slightly pushing boundaries, right? @crow ✝ jacob de silva
" A hand finds its way to resting on Jacob's knee. "Should we play the game?"
Cassius wasn't expecting anything of that sort from his priest coworker, but there was much to be discovered from slightly pushing boundaries, right? @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Cassius is caught by surprise by the trembling hand that urgently pushed his away, but that's all there is on his face- surprise. Their eyes are searching each others for emotions, but only Jacob's have a clear answer.
He smiles gently, apologetically, rehearsed so much it hides his dishonesty. There's a smidgen of curiosity in his eyes.
"My apologies, Mr Silva, I'll make sure not to do that again," he says, pulling his hand back into himself. It was only their first time talking one on one, he should take it slow @crow ✝ jacob de silva
@crow ✝ jacob de silva
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"Are you scared of anything, Mr. Caro?"
He looks up at him then, focusing on him in the dark. He's peeling his glove off, the black silk revealing hints of flesh as he relieves himself of his left hand, exposing a normal hand.
Normal except for the scar in the middle of his palm, of course. Red as sin, looking just as fresh as if it had been struck through just yesterday. While continuing, Jacob continues to talk.
"Fear is an emotion one feels when in a situation, but resentment, revulsion, avoidance — these are reactions to certain stimuli after pain has been inflicted. In your mind, you've already associated the thought with negativity. That it'd hurt you or make you feel worse than you already are."
He holds out his hand, scar and all, fingers splayed in the air. A free invitation for Cassius to take his hand.
"I can't handle it when I don't know what's happening. I'm scared of impulse, and what you just did was impulsive. But that's not what I'm scared of." Jacob meets the other's eyes. "Should this sate your desire for touch? Skin-to-skin?"
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius sorry if this looks insane to the viewers
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Fear... Cassius didn't seem to fear on the surface... he had repressed his fears so much that he'd convinced himself he was okay with anything and everything. Fear was something that he didn't think about. The only thing he accepted fearing was death, because that was common.
Cassius takes his hand, lightly sliding a thumb over the scar in the middle of his palm. "I see," he nods to Jacob's rambling. "That's an understandable fear." In a way, Cassius also feared impulse, but it didn't show the same way it did for Jacob.
He examines Jacob's hands a little more, how it's much bigger than his own, how the scar looks red enough to be fresh... and then lets go. "I suppose I fear... dying " he pretends to confess. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
" he pretends to confess. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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Their fingers intertwine for the briefest moment, and then part. Jacob is a furnace, heat radiating from the tips of his fingers, and he still feels the ghost of Cassius Caro’s touch when he pulls away, a phantom pain that has him flexing his fingers.
It’s odd, to hold someone after so long. Jacob can safely say this is the first time he’s actually initiated contact like that and didn’t flinch in years. Learning and time will make a fool out of any memory.
“Everyone fears dying.” He’s not about to give a sermon in a closet for seven minutes in heaven, but it’s a sort of… noncommittal answer. Jacob doesn’t blame Cassius, of course — by now, he’s realized he plays his cards close to his chest. Even if Jacob volunteers any information, who knows if Cassius would say the same?
They’re more alike than he thought, after all.
“You don’t have to confess to me,” he says thoughtfully, getting up. “But fears are meant to be conquered. You either fight it or give yourself up to it.” A glance at him, and he extends his hand — the gloved one. “I wonder which one you will choose.”
@poro, carry of duncetown🤱cassius
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Cassius willingly takes Jacob's hand again but pushes himself up instead of pulling. "Thank you for the wise words, Mr Silva." He doesn't mean it because inspirational quotes weren't the validation he sought.
Another glance at his watch tells him that 7 minutes had passed. "I believe we're free to go now," he says with another experimental push on the door. It opens this time, and Cassius steps out first. "It was nice to finally get to know you, albeit for 7 minutes. I hope you enjoy the party Perhaps we could get lunch together sometime."
This time, he goes for the actual exit. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
Perhaps we could get lunch together sometime."
This time, he goes for the actual exit. @crow ✝ jacob de silva
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@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby done!
done!
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / jericho-cordelia
DEAR EU,
IF U EVER SEE THIS MESSAGE PLS @ ME SO I CAN 1) REVISE MY INTRO POST TO KEEP THE TIMELINE IN TACT AND ALSO 2) PLAY WITH CORDELIA TY!!!
sincerely koo
sincerely koo
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@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho KOO IM SO SORRY- I JUST SAW THIS ALL NOW 
also gomen,, didnt know where to tag u
also gomen,, didnt know where to tag u
EU!!!!! youve returned from the war,,,
ive returned just for jeri <3333
k kyaa
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It was very unlike Cordelia to arrive so late into an event. To be honest, she was quite embarrassed especially because she had yet to make an impression on most of her coworkers. But a family meeting with her father was the only thing that could keep her from straying from her very meticulously planned schedules— another reason why she avoided them at all costs. Well, there was no use in moping now.
She had entered a half hour before the 7 minute event began but suddenly found herself in front of a closet door. Sitting down awkwardly next to the throw pillow, Cordelia bit the inside of her cheek. She had never played this sort of game before— what were the rules again? She could only remember being instructed to going inside a closet for 7 minutes and meeting someone. — Ah, that’s right. She had only signed up for this thinking it would be nice to talk to someone for 7 minutes.
Cordelia was in the middle of studying the cobwebs in the corner of the ceiling before the door opened again.
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Jericho wanders down a hallway, wondering where best to find a relatively empty room to have a moment to himself when suddenly he's pushed through a door.
Before he can realize what's going on, the door is slammed shut behind him. "What the--!?"
First he sees the girl. And then he sees the heart shaped pillow right next to her. Yeah, no, whatever is happening he wants none of it.
He immediately turns around and starts violently jostling the doorknob to get out. Fuck. It's locked.
Jericho whirls back around to face the stranger, brows furrowed in annoyance. "What is going on here?"
(CORDELIA ILU KISSES)
@eu | cordelia
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Her eyes meet with the new visitor but Cordelia didn’t know why he looked so annoyed. She managed to give him a polite smile before he suddenly turned around again. His angry shaking of the doorknob surprised Cordelia enough to jump up into a standing position again.
“Ah- Erm... Hello Mr. Vidali-“ She continued a polite smile but began to get worried about the locked door. “Are you lost? Or... are you here for the... activity..?”
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"I am not lost. I am very clearly LOCKED in here. With you." Jericho replies bluntly, the inconvenient nature of the situation only sharpening the unpleasant edges of his personality.
At the sound of his name, Jericho's gaze on the girl becomes suspicious. "You know my name? Who are you?" He narrows his eyes and makes sure to keep his distance from this shady person. "And what is this...activity?"
@eu | cordelia
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By habit, Cordelia’s smile tightened but she kept a pleasant mindset the best that she could.
“Ah,” she removed her gloves before extending one of them for a handshake. “Cordelia Verne. I apologize if I came off too forward by using your name- I’ve been trying to memorize all of our coworker’s names and titles. I’ve just seen your name plaque on your desk from time to time.” She scratched her cheek sheepishly with her free hand. “And to be honest, I’m not quite sure what we’re supposed to be doing. I was just told to come here... Is the door really locked?“
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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Jericho calms somewhat at Cordelia's explanation and after a moment, he raises his hand and shakes her outstretched one. "...I see. These are strange circumstances to be meeting for the first time, Cordelia."
He 'tsks' in disappointment. "The door is indeed locked. You should be more careful about blindly trusting others. Judging by our coerced confinement. and the heart pillow, this is some disgustingly unprofessional activity set up by perverts." He turns back to the door and examines the doorknob.
"Well, I have zero desire to play along to the whims of others, and I imagine you have better things to do as well." He faces her and examines her hair. "Do you have any hair pins on you? Let's work together and break out of here."
@eu | cordelia
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Cordelia’s cheeks flush, realizing the actual intentions of the event. To be honest, she had assumed that the pillow belonged to a janitor or something.
“Yes... very strange circumstances, indeed....” she mumbled before placing a hand on the side of her head.
“Oh! I actually do!” Quickly unfastening one, she handed it to Jericho. “Wow, Mr. Vidali- You know how to pick locks? That must be a really handy skill.” Her interest had started to pique as she closely watched the man fiddle with the knob. Perhaps I should learn locksmithing next month... Cordelia thought to herself, inching maybe uncomfortably too close to try and observe his movements.
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"Ah, well...being a private detective you pick up knowledge on certain things without even realizing it," Jericho says carefully. He has certainly never used lockpicking for anything illegal. Ever. Nope. Not him. "I suppose its worthwhile to know about lockpicking. In an academic sense."
"Thank you for the hairpin." He twists the hairpin into the correct shape and begins fiddling with the door knob.
However, Jericho stops in his efforts when he can feel Cordelia's breath ghosting across his skin. "...Ahem." He clears his throat, his cheeks dusting a light pink, and turns his head to look at Cordelia. "Would you mind. Taking three steps back."
@eu | cordelia
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“Yes, in an academic sense, of course,” she laughed a bit. “When I find the time to learn it, I’ll make sure to come to you with questions then, if you don’t mind.”
With her eyes focused on the door, Cordelia didn’t realize how close she was to Jericho until he had turned around. It took her a moment to process his request, getting a bit lost in his gaze. “Ah!I’m sorry-!” She quickly jumped back, quietly hoping that the dim light coming from the singular bulb could mask the angry flush that crept from her neck to her cheeks. She tried to busy herself again with the task at hand.
“So, any luck?”
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"...It's fine." Jericho says when he has his personal space back. He turns back to working on unlocking the door.
It's much more difficult than he thought. God, he hopes he's not out of practice.
"......No. Not yet," He answers, somewhat embarrassed that it's taking longer than expected to unlock the door.
click
click
click
....
Holy fuck this is so awkward. And he can feel her eyes on him.
"Um. Do you want to...try looking around the closet...for any other ways to get out...?" Jericho suggests, wanting to give Cordelia something to do that isn't just Perceiving him.
@eu | cordelia
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“Oh! Right! ...Yes!” Cordelia’s shoulders perk up again before busying herself in a different corner. Taking a moment to dwell in her embarrassment, she pretends to be fixated on the brooms leaning against the wall. Very professional, Cordelia... she mentally reprimands herself. More than anything, she didn’t want to look unprofessional or useless to her colleagues and it felt like she had successfully done both already. That thought alone snaps her back to her senses.
“Erm, there’s only some brooms here... a mop... oh, there’s a wrench. Would that help?”
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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Jericho frowns in thought as Cordelia lists off her findings.
"A wrench might be helpful in breaking down the door if we want to brute force it. But that should be an absolute last resort," he says. However, as much as he despises whoever has trapped them in here, he doesn't actually want to damage any property. Cerise is probably the one who rented out the space and it would look bad for her if things got destroyed.
Jericho lets out a quiet curse when he fails to open the door yet again. He glances back at Cordelia, standing there awkwardly by a pile of brooms and a Mop. It looks, somewhat sad. Enough to invoke a measure of pity in him.
"...Why don't you give a try at unlocking the door? You said you were interested in lockpicking, right? I can help walk you through it." They had the time, anyway.
@eu | cordelia
Jericho lets out a quiet curse when he fails to open the door yet again. He glances back at Cordelia, standing there awkwardly by a pile of brooms and a Mop. It looks, somewhat sad. Enough to invoke a measure of pity in him.
"...Why don't you give a try at unlocking the door? You said you were interested in lockpicking, right? I can help walk you through it." They had the time, anyway.
@eu | cordelia
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@eu | cordelia (sorry for the second @ BUT TUPPER REMOVED IT SO )
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She mostly nodded in agreement about Jericho’s decision to keep to vandalism to a minimum. But in response to his suggestion, Cordelia’s eyes gleamed in excitement before scooting closer to him once again.
“I’ll try my best,” she replied confidently before taking the pin and copying Jericho’s previous movements. “So what exactly is it I’m supposed to be looking for when I do this...?”
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Jericho blinks at the sudden shift in behavior, not expecting her to be so excited about the opportunity.
"Well..." And then Jericho explains the mechanics behind tumbler locks and how to work lockpicks to Cordelia, because the mun refuses to wikipedia the in depth details on how to lockpick.
"...And that's about it. It might take a few tries to get the hang of, but it's simple enough. Give it a shot."
(U GOT THIS CORDELIA,,,ROLL AN 18 )
@eu | cordelia
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@eu | cordelia
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@eu | cordelia
Result: 1d20 (5) + 1
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Result: 1d20 (5) + 1
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“Uh.....”
click
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“I don’t think I’ve got any luck on this lock either,” Cordelia replied disappointingly.
“Maybe we should play the waiting game..? I believe we’re only supposed to be in here for a couple minutes. Maybe someone will come for us then.” She paused once more before glancing at Jericho. “Er, that is, of course, only if you don’t mind waiting in here with me....”
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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((@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho kooo i gotta go to bed i shall reply in the morning <3
i shall reply in the morning <3
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Jericho takes his attention off of Cordelia’s hands to look at her. “I suppose you’re not the worst company to have in these circumstances,” he says. Cordelia has proved tolerable so far so he feels confident in his statement.
“But why are you giving up after your first try?” He raises a brow at her, because it does seem like she’s throwing in the towel after one measly lock picking attempt. “If you want to wait, you might as well do something while you’re waiting. Try again, slower this time.” He said he’d teach her, which translates to: Giving Up Is Not An Option.
@eu | cordelia
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@eu | cordelia
Result: 1d20 (18) + 1
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Result: 1d20 (18) + 1
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She, herself, didn’t understand why she had been willing to give up- it was unlike her. Perhaps she was feeling sheepish. Nonetheless, Cordelia mistook Jericho’s disappointment as encouragement and responded with a determined nod, trying once more.
click
...
click
...
click
click!
She jostled the doorknob which, to her surprise, felt loose. “I-I think I got it!” Cordelia turned her head to Jericho, both with a sense of achievement but also a bit of disbelief.
The door opened with her push and they were free.
“Woah!! That was kind of cool!! Did you see that, Mr. Vidali?” Cordelia could no longer hide her excitement. She could definitely get hooked on lock picking. God knows what she would do with this newfound power.
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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"Oh!" Jericho is just as surprised as Cordelia when he hears the telltale click and she pushes the door open.
She was able to unlock the door when he couldn't--and normally that'd be cause for him to throw a cutting remark to cut Cordelia down to size. But looking at her face, Jericho can't help but share some of her excitement in her success. Huh. This is kind of nice.
"Yes, I did. You did good," he replies, with a small laugh. "It seems you have a natural talent for lock picking. I'd use it wisely."
He steps out of the closet and turns back to Cordelia. "Well..now that we've been freed, I'll be on my way."
"Have a good evening, Cordelia." And with that, he smiles softly at her and takes his leave.
(WRAPPING UP,,,THANK U EU I LOVE CORDELIA SO BAD )
@eu | cordelia
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@eu | cordelia
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“It was nice to finally meet you, Mr. Vidali,” Cordelia waved pleasantly as he left. After glancing at the door once more, she happily made her way to the dry bar. She definitely felt like she needed a drink after that experience.
((THANK U KOO!!!!! I KITH JERI FOR BEING SO CUTE <33))
@koo, rat of duncetown 🐦Jericho
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@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby we're done here!!
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / june-rhett
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"Come on guys, this is silly hahaha--" June chuckles as his coworkers shove him in the closet for some. reason. ♂️ He stands there, spotting a weird little cushion with 'Loue' stitched on it... "... kinda like my name, heh... ;;"
♂️ He stands there, spotting a weird little cushion with 'Loue' stitched on it... "... kinda like my name, heh... ;;"
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Standing at 6'2", Rhett doesn't often come across people taller than him (though the average height of LQCC is definitely above the median). And so he is pleasantly surprised to see his partner having a few inches on him.
"Mr. Love!" Always eager to get to know his coworkers, Rhett recalls the man's name despite meeting him in person for the first time. A drink in, he's definitely enjoying the party atmosphere. He closes the door behind him, still smiling widely. "Hope you have some left for me?"
@flan 🦋 june
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He's halfway picking up the cushion when a sudden voice makes him jolt, dropping it on the ground. "!! Oh-- When did you get here!" A smile dashes across his face, "Wh- Lobster..?" Wait- Rhett wasn't in the kitchen earlier, so... did he just close the door?
"... Oh... Plenty to go around ;;" He chirps, nervously shuffling closer to his shorter coworker. "I apologize, I didn't catch your name--" Pause. "Is this... what I think it is..." He looks around the makeshift seven minutes in heaven closet- it hadn't donned upon him that it was this cramped...
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"I've just arrived, don't worry. I hope I haven't kept you waiting for too long."
He picks the fallen pillow, left hand offering it to June while his right hand extends into a handshake. "Rhett. Rhett Hamilton."
"A company-bonding event," he offers as an answer. "Though, I find the choice of activity to be quite interesting. . ." A pause. Then another wide grin. "Well, we have seven minutes. Is there anything you might like to explore?"
@flan 🦋 june YELLS IL OVE JUNE.... GENTLE....
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"Ah.. I wasn't necessarily waiting for anyone in particular, but thanks for keeping me company.." His sentence ends in a nervous drawl. " June's freshly blistered hand extends for a gentle shake before taking the cushion from his kind company. "Rhett, pleasure to meet you.." He clears his throat, "Hahaha you're a funny one. It sure does feels like bible camp all over again.. mm.. To be frank, I'm not fond of tight spaces so... I don't think I have the capacity to explore much..."
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In just the few moments of meeting June up close, Rhett has already made a few judgments. Handsome, broad-shouldered (his eyes can't help but wander there), gentle and kind, a little bit awkward, easily impressionable. Someone who would be fun to string around for a bit, perhaps.
I'm not fond of tight spaces.
Suddenly Rhett is aware of other cues, June's blistered palm against his own, shallow breathing, how the dingy closet walls were bearing down on them.
Claustrophobia, hm? He wasn't so crass enough to pressure the other but tch, fun interrupted by this. . . complication.
Rhett takes a step back so that his back is flush against the door. Change of topic then, hopefully to keep the other's mind on other things.
"You're certainly dressed to the nines tonight. It's a shame that you were shoved in a closet." A warm laugh.
@flan 🦋 june
i am so sorry he is. the way he is. gouges his objectifying eyes out
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June finds himself shuffling a little bit nearer to Rhett, since, to be fair, he had trouble hearing people. But also maybe in the recesses of his mind he also found comfort in another person accompanying him in such an uncomfortable predicament. The shift to a compliment does distract him enough though, as he breaks into a gentle smile following Rhett's laugh. "Well, isn't that be the whole point of this occasion? It is a formal after all. No longer a shame that you're here now, Rhett "
A few small exchanges and idle small talk, he finds himself feeling a bit more comfortable. "Maybe we can put these outfits to use and grab a few drinks at the bar later this evening?"
"
A few small exchanges and idle small talk, he finds himself feeling a bit more comfortable. "Maybe we can put these outfits to use and grab a few drinks at the bar later this evening?"
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@ren | rhett no, love rhett. objectify him
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June closes the distance and so Rhett allows himself to touch the other, though he is careful to read subtle signs of body language, ready to jump ship if the situation were to turn sour. Hands smooth over the satin fabric of the other's dress shirt and vest and fingers play with the butterfly lapels before resting on the tie. High quality fabric with even higher quality craftsmanship. It is difficult for him to deny any well-dressed individual.
"Drinks. Drinks!" A nod. "I'd love that." A small exhale from his nose. "I'm sure you've gotten your fair share of name puns."
@flan 🦋 june
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His eyes meet the sudden graze of one's hands over his shirt with an innocuous stare yet his heart began palpitating. This wasn't the first time someone had done it-- but maybe he was genuinely admiring his custom hemmed vest. It was over 200 thread count after all! He swallows when he notices Rhett's impish fingers dance around the lacing of his buttery collar.
"June... No I haven't heard many- oh.. right!! Haha--" You fool.. you fool..." Jericho's voice echoed in the back of his mind. "I don't mind- I love puns! You'll have to tell me more later." He smiles with less than a minute left on the clock. "But until then--" He looks around, feeling the walls close in.
When in Rome, he thinks, gently grabbing Rhett's wrist and grazing his lips on the back of his hand.
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June fumbles with his words like a puppy and it quickens Rhett's heart. Amusing! "Then, have you heard of the term June bride?"
The redhead is surprised by June's gesture, feeling his pulse jump when the other kisses the back of his hand. Perhaps his colleague wasn't as harmless as first thought. Exciting!
Rhett really shouldn't. He really, really shouldn't. But alas, the terrible, devilish desires always win. He grasps the tension building between them and tiptoes, returning the act, but with his lips against June's.
It's short and playful.
Not even five seconds later, Rhett reaches behind himself to open the door.
Light and cool air floods into the room, and with it, freedom.
"Then, thank you for enduring, Mr. Love. I quite enjoyed my time." Rhett fixes his colleague with one last meaningful gaze. "About the drinks, I won't forget! If not today, then I'll catch you after work sometime."
And not waiting to see the butterfly's reaction, the fox slips off with a wave. 
@flan 🦋 june THANK YOU FOR RP FLAN (embarrassedly scuttles away :people_wrestling: !!!!!
@flan 🦋 june THANK YOU FOR RP FLAN (embarrassedly scuttles away :people_wrestling: !!!!!
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Not expecting much from his tame but sweet gesture, it came with surprise when lips met his. A flash of red dashes out of the room before he can even comprehend what had just happened. Even when the rush of cool air flooded the closet, June's temperature rose and rose until he became red as a lobster. ♂️
He presses the weird 'Loue' cushion over his flushed face, accidentally walking out with it and slamming into a wall. "Excuse me--!" he trembles.
Must hide somewhere for a bit
♂️
He presses the weird 'Loue' cushion over his flushed face, accidentally walking out with it and slamming into a wall. "Excuse me--!" he trembles.
Must hide somewhere for a bit
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@ren | rhett thank you for the rp ren @lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby YOU CAN CLOSE THE ROOM ❤️ THANKS FOR EVERYTHING
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby YOU CAN CLOSE THE ROOM ❤️ THANKS FOR EVERYTHING
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LQCC
🦞 MEATEOR CITY / kylik-lullaby
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik im sorry about rng
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IF YOU WANT TO SWAP PAIRS. WE CAN . I'M LIKE . we got shipbaited by God
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QUEERBAITING THE VIEWERS
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It's not difficult to herd them to a different place, though they're not sure who did it - a flurry of motion and then they're thrown back into a closet. "Oh - okay --"
And the door slams shut.
"........."
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He's been awkwardly shuffing around waiting for the food to arrive when - ah, its, closet time? He blinks trying to adjust to the dim lighting of the tiny room when he realizes there's someone in here with him-
wait-
"......Lullaby?"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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A smile, relieved and fond all at once -
"Kylik~ Hey." They give him a look-over, taking in the suit and the flower and neat hair. Out of habit, they reach out and brush at his bangs. It's a sharp difference from the guy who didn't even own swim trunks. "Can't believe I haven't seen you yet.. you look.......... real good." @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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He startles a little at the contact - it's not an unfamiliar gesture, but when Lullaby is close enough that Kylik can see the ring of blue around their eyes....It's. It's a little different, that's all. But he quickly settles himself with a soft exhale.
"......Thanks." He says with a lopsided smile. ".....got....uh - taken....shopping. By a friend."
He gives Lullaby his own onceover. "....You too." A swallow. "...I mean- you know....you look...." He makes a gesture instead of finishing that sentence, before shaking his head, and laughing at himself.
"......You always do though." A fonder smile. He thinks about it. "...Suit's nice and all, but..." He reaches out and to brush lightly over their jacket lapel, instinctively smoothing out what slight wrinkles might exist. "....A little stuffy....I guess?"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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He's cute. They've always known that - but between a long island iced tea, two beers, and a good portion of a bottle of wine, they can't help but notice the soft return of contact. It's a gentler touch than they're used to from Kylik and the difference makes them smile.
"Too many layers, for sure."
A little bit of liquid courage, a dash of dim light.
They smile.
"... You know-" Lullaby hooks their fingers around Kylik's tie, pulling slightly. "- you can loosen this, if you want." @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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Kylik nods - he'd personally prefer a t-shirt to a dress shirt any day - when suddenly, Lullaby's hand is right under his throat, tugging at his tie. His adams apple bobs as he swallows. Okay. Alright.
His eyes flick from Lullaby's hand to their face and back again, as if unable to rest in any one place for too long. A breath. And then he huffs a laugh.
"......Honestly I would just...take the whole thing off, but....I'm not actually sure I know how to re-tie it right." His mouth feels. Dry. He blinks, and moistens his lips, vaguely wondering if there's anything to drink in the closet. ".........Do....you?"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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"I'm sure we could figure it out." Mischievous - who cares? It's just a tie. They track his lips and... yeah.
Okay.
Alright.
Who cares? It's just a closet, it's just a friend, it's just a -
"Have you ever... played before?" The game. They attempt to undo Kylik's tie. @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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Kylik blinks again - trying to understand where the conversation was going - as his tie is undone. Well, now Lullaby definitely has to help him retie it. They'll...figure it out together. The thought makes him smile as a senseless burst of fondness fills his chest. And then he registers Lullaby's question.
Played...what?
".......No?" Suddenly feeling like he's missing something, his brows furrow in confusion? Is he... supposed to be doing something? Is there...a game happening? Lullaby is. very close and it's a little hard to think. ".....Am I..." He reaches out without a thought and grabs onto Lullaby's tie in return. Simon says instinct. "...doing this....right?"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They lean closer as Kylik grabs their tie, more out of reflex than the other's force.
And yet his words are a blast of cold water. Shit. They thought - they had assumed that they were on the same page here. Was this okay...? To still... want to...? They go statue-still, a pause in the smooth motion, fingers settled against Kylik's collar. The showreel stops. They speak off-screen.
"... it's uh." Awkward, quiet. "We're supposed to kiss... I mean... only if you... want... to." @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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"......Oh." Oh. Kylik's brain is processing for a moment, as the awkward silence fills the space. It's. uncomfortable. And he still can't quite wrap his head around it. Did this mean, Lullaby wanted to...kiss him? Or, no - this was a game, right? They said, supposed to. Now with the context has been laid bare, Kylik can recall - more than a decade ago, sitting amidst a hoard of cheering teenagers - two people he barely knew stumbling out of a closet - Ah. Right.
He...gets it now.
They...kiss and then...they leave. Alright.
He thinks about the way Lullaby's gone still and quiet, and resolution solidifies in his mind, though his tongue feels too clumsy in his mouth for words.
Alright.
He doesn't speak, and simply leans up slowly to press a soft touch of his lips to Lullaby's. Chaste and sweet. Another duty fulfilled.
".......There." His voice is just slightly hoarse as he pulls away. "....You're fine."
He gives a slight smile. "...Don't worry."
They'll still be the same, once they leave this little broom closet.
Nothing at all has to change.
"...You mind...uh...helping me do my tie, though?"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Ladies and gentlemen, members of the jury -- is it possible to be both pleased and disappointed at the same time? They smile at the kiss, lean in for more - chasing what they assumed was acceptance.
Only to meet air, to find rejection instead of warmth.
(The tide pulls away, whether you're ready or not)
"..."
Like a kicked dog, they watch as Kylik pulls away. Was it pity, then? Worse - had he kissed them because he was worried that they were worried about... not getting kissed at all?
"Yeah - no problem, of.. course." They stare at Kylik's neck for a second, thoughtful, and shake their head. "Sorry." Loops the tie back around, but pauses before knotting it. Both ends held in their hands. "... you didn't have to. I mean, .... I didn't ... mean to pressure you, or .. anything." @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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It's easier now, that he knows what's happening. To compartmentalize. He puts a gentle hand on Lullaby's. "......You didn't. I promise. It was my choice, yeah?" As always.
And. Well. What the hell. They were still in the closet.
"....It's not....a hardship." A grin, soft and indulgent. "...You're...pretty."
He looks back down at their hands, still holding onto the ends of his tie. It was alright. Because this was just a game in the end. A simple seven minutes passed that would fade away to nothing.
"...But we don't have much time left, right? Better not get too...ahead of ourselves." Better not to do anything that might have lasting impact.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Roles swapped - Kylik's confusion has found solid ground and Lullaby's assurance had cracked beneath their feet. They struggle to understand. He thinks they're pretty, but he seems to want to escape...? Is this another --
"Is it because we're coworkers?" They blurt out before they can stop themself. @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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Oh. Kylik forgets sometimes that he has to...put things into words.
"....No." He furrows his brows and looks upwards. "....Kinda?" It's still not exactly it.
"....It's because......" He coughs, back to being, awkwardly flushed. About having feelings. ".....You're................." a treasured presence in my life. God, that was way too embarassing to say. "....important." A pause. "....to me."
A longer silence.
".....I wouldn't want - something like this -" he gestures to the closet their still standing in, "-this...game. To make things....between us...complicated." He gives Lullaby a soft, if resigned smile.
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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Oh. A bit of heat fills their cheeks, somehow more embarrassed than they thought they'd be. It's only then that they realised that they've crinkled his tie, squeezing it a little too tight. Sweet words usually didn't sway them, but it seemed like absent ones did. Their thumbs smooth out the material and they get to clumsily tying it.
"I don't think..." Lullaby forms a loop, eyes cast at their work instead of his face"... it has to be... complicated. If we don't make it be."
Their gaze flicks to meet Kylik's as they tighten his tie - hand trailing from the newly formed knot and down to the end. They pull the tip to their mouth, lips brushing against the fabric.
"... you know, you're important to me t-"
The door swings wide open.
Light - sudden and bright - fills the room.
"-oo."
@roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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There's a heavy silence from Kylik. He...is thinking. About what he should do- what would be best way to deal with this situation, this responsibility- and also, as he tracks Lullaby's lips pressed to fabric with his eyes - what he, quietly, wants to do, even though in many aspects he knows it would be a very bad idea - but -
Good thing the door opens so he can stop thinking at all :)
He coughs, throat suddenly dry.
"........We can....I'll-" there's no complete sentences here. "..........later."
He gently steps away from Lullaby and makes an 'after you' gesture.
"....Let's just - get some lobster first, yeah?"
@lok, fool of duncetown 🐑 lullaby
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They grin without fear - instant and wide and showing just the bits of their canines. "Yeah - uh." A laugh, giddy on something they can't name. "Lobster... and, uh..."
"Later?" Inquisitive. Make him say it again. Just to make sure they heard it. @roy, mayor of duncetown | kylik
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He's going to regret this. He's going to regret this so much. A resigned sigh, as he closes his eyes, and briefly considers what the hell he's gotten into. Finally. He gives Lullaby a reluctantly fond smile.
"...........Later."
OKAY THATS ENOUGH FRUIT SALAD FOR TONIGHT!!!!!!! GOODBYE.
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🦞 MEATEOR CITY / mika-phineas
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika @Lime (Drew) | Phineas Whenever you're ready, welcome to a closet. Please tag me when you are done with the channel so that I can log & then delete it.
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Flick, click, Flick goes the lighter, the little flame turning on and off with each flip of the lid. He'd stopped smoking a long time ago--but old habits die hard as Mika was all too familiar with, and grabbing the zippo with his keys came as second nature. Besides, it was nice to have a little something to fidget with when crossing your arms and leaning against things got boring.
--And, let no mistake be made about it--he was a little bored at the moment, he'd signed up for the event thinking it'd be interesting, but he supposed not everyone was as punctual as he tended to be. Though a passing thought does cross his mind that perhaps he was meant to have waited for someone to be paired to him before trying to start the game on his own. Oh well, planning ahead was never his strong suit.
So, a little too prideful to peak out the door, there he waits, Mika Romanov, dressed to (his version of) the nines, in a broom closet.
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The door suddenly opens, and in a flurry of motion that disturbs the silence Mika had going on, another person is thrust into the cramped broom closet. Phineas stumbles in, having been shoved by unknown hands. He catches himself before falling face first into the other person waiting for him there, brushing back a loose cowlick that had gotten dislodged from the rest of his hair.
His eyes were still unadjusted to the gloom, all he could see was the flicker of a lighter flame, and the silhouette of someone else. He had only come to this "party," if you could call this stuffy place that, for the promise of free seafood, but found himself shoved into a closet for a game of some sort before he could even lay eyes on the dining room.
After a long stretch of neither party saying a word, he clears his throat. "Hey." (imagine the scene from Spiderverse where Miles puts his hand on Gwen please)
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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Click. The zippo closes one last time. The last vestiges of it's light whisking with it the subtle surprise in Mika's one eye. He feels himself take an instinctive step backwards to accommodate for the other--a largely fruitless endeavor given their apparently shared weight class...It wasn't everyday Mika had to look up to meet someone's gaze.
Speaking of gaze--he feels his flicker across his closet-mates' features. He'd seen this one around, though he'd never taken the time to become acquainted, he'd assumed them both to be men of few words and therefore most likely bereft of any meaningful exchange. A thought that was proving itself to possibly be accurate. In the dim nearly non-existent light Mika's eyes are drawn to a toothy glint--my, what big teeth you have...
"Hello." He returns the greeting with his usual pleasant smile, his head tilting just so. "Phineas, was it." It's not a question. :]
@Lime (Drew) | Phineas (I'm going to eat Phineas.......)
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Now with his only source of light gone, along with his hope of figuring out who it was he was sharing such close quarters with, Phineas waits patiently for his eyes to adjust. When they finally do, he identifies the silver hair and iconic eyepatch of none other than.... Damn, he was bad with names. He had never spoken to this particular coworker before, but he did respect the overwhelming 'cool' vibe emanating off of him.
"Yeup, that's me." Every second that passes reveals more and more of Mika Romanov's sharp outfit to his slowly dilating pupils, in contrast to... whatever the hell Phineas had put together. He has nothing else to add to the conversation, and so his mind wanders back to his beloved lobster... "You, uh, wouldn't happen to have any food in here, would you?"
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika (i am also putting Mika into My Mouth...)
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He feels himself become ever so slightly privy to the idea that this person may not have any interest in him or the game that is at hand. The lack of initiative to exchange names and apparent priorities being the greatest give-away of such... Shame--though he supposed that may just be par for the course for this sort of thing. A surprise did not always precede mutual excitement, the gamble is what made it fun, or in this case, a little disappointing. He checks his watch, well, they needn't linger much longer.
"No." He pauses, "Unless you're a dog." He glances again at the other's sharp, fuzzy jaw. Maybe that's not too far off to assume--perhaps a half breed. The dog treats in his pocket rattle.
He doesn't move as he speaks, hey are still standing face to face, a scant couple of inches separating them.
@Lime (Drew) | Phineas
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Phineas takes a moment to think, a rather laborious process for him. He had eaten dog food before, albeit as a boy and on a dare from a friend. While he is very hungry, he had his heart set on the seafood, and Bark Bites™️ were not all they were cracked up to be.
"...Nah, I think I'll pass. Thanks for offering though." He shifts his weight and settles into a more relaxed pose that takes him ever so slightly closer to Mika. This proximity goes unnoticed by Phineas, who is both preoccupied with other thoughts and is unbothered with physical contact in most cases.
Another uncomfortably long pause. "That guy out there said something 'bout a game... You know anything about that? We supposed to be doing something in particular in here?"
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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The time it takes for the other to come to his non-committal refusal causes Mika's eyebrow to raise inquisitively. He'd considered it, then? He'd only ever seen strays so desperate for sustenance. How whimsical. :]
The whimsy only heightens as the other says something surprisingly relevant, perhaps something would come of this exchange yet--if only some enlightenment for Phineas. He does not move when the other slumps into his space. It's noticed, but deemed irrelevant if it's as unintentional as it seems.
"We're playing 7-minutes in heaven, and no." He answers in as few words as possible. It was true, they're not supposed to be doing anything in particular-- Mika certainly didn't expect as much. He just wanted to see who he would get and what would happen. He checks his watch again.
"Two-Minutes in Heaven now, any last words?" The last few syllables are said with a certain sort of familiarity.
@Lime (Drew) | Phineas
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Ah, so that's what this was about. He'd never played the game himself, and only vaguely knew the rules, but it seemed that it was close to being over with already. No action of his required at all. Not that he wants out of Mika's company, it was very cozy in here 
(and the man had offered him dog treats! how kind!), but there were other more pressing things on his mind.
Phineas lets out a laugh, partly involuntarily, giving his new acquaintance another flash of his teeth. "Gotcha! Makes more sense now, huh." He considers what Mika had said. Last words? It didn't feel like many first words had been exchanged to begin with. Oh well. Time flies when you're having fun! And if anything had to come between Phineas and his dinner, he was glad it was Mika.
"Well, If we're saying goodbye, I guess I should ask for one last thing..." He absentmindedly scratches at the back of his neck "...What was your name again?"
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika (take ur time replying!)
(and the man had offered him dog treats! how kind!), but there were other more pressing things on his mind.
Phineas lets out a laugh, partly involuntarily, giving his new acquaintance another flash of his teeth. "Gotcha! Makes more sense now, huh." He considers what Mika had said. Last words? It didn't feel like many first words had been exchanged to begin with. Oh well. Time flies when you're having fun! And if anything had to come between Phineas and his dinner, he was glad it was Mika.
"Well, If we're saying goodbye, I guess I should ask for one last thing..." He absentmindedly scratches at the back of his neck "...What was your name again?"
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika (take ur time replying!)
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He feels his head tilt again as the other barks a laugh. One part because he wanted to angle his good eye to get a better look at those canines, another part because he was genuinely curious. He'd been so sure that this one would be more...Abrasive. Perhaps the evening-wear was masking the other's ferocity? And he had been so certain when he saw him burst in that this was going to end in a fist fight. Maybe next time.
No matter. It wasn't a bad thing to be in someone's good graces. He could practically see the other's tail wag.
At the question Mika seems almost a little surprised. He appears to think for all of a moment before raising his hand, he gives a little 'come closer' motion with two fingers...
@Lime (Drew) | Phineas
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Phineas is intrigued when instead of another curt answer like he was expecting, he was treated to something more... coy? He isn't sure they can get much closer together without bonking (
) into each other, but tries anyway.
He leans down until their faces are a hairsbreadth away from touching. "Hm?"
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
) into each other, but tries anyway.
He leans down until their faces are a hairsbreadth away from touching. "Hm?"
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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Obedient, Mika feels himself growing fonder of this thing by the minute.
With a swiftness contrasting the rest of their exchange, the moment Phineas leans in Mika reaches up and grips the collar of the other's shirt in one hand, pulling him down roughly--until his mouth is level with...
...Phineas' ear. "Die wondering." He says simply.
He then proceeds to push the other away from him and out the door in one motion, sending Phineas stumbling back out much in the same way he'd entered. He doesn't bother closing the door as he steps past the other to leave.
What could he say, it was a little irritating to not be remembered. :]
@Lime (Drew) | Phineas ((I look away, I'm extremely sorry for my....Edgy Son......................))
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Phineas blinks. Well that was unexpected, but not completely unwarranted. He never claimed to be good at conversation, or knowing what people would think was insensitive. He'd been treated far worse for far less. If anything, he was impressed with the physical skill it took to throw a man of his own size around.
Now the events of his time in the closet (hah) with Mika were sliding out of his brain like water off of wax. Hopefully they hadn't started on the lobster without him. He straightens out his jacket and heads towards flavortown.
Although he is left with something akin to a Pavlovian instinct to learn his coworker's name at the earliest opportunity...
@Nyaph 🌺 Mika
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PLEASE DONT WORRY, IT WAS A PLEASURE!!!! i love his edge so much 
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I'm GLAD!!!!
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